President Donald Trump to Miss US's Opening Home World Cup Match

Andrew Giuliani, CEO of the World Cup task force, has confirmed that President Donald Trump will not attend the US Men's National Team's opening match against Paraguay on Friday.

On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that President Trump had no plans to be at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. The State Department issued a statement indicating that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would attend the match, alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Giuliani corroborated the news in a Thursday interview, citing Trump's busy schedule as the reason for his absence. However, he expressed an expectation that the US President would become increasingly involved with the World Cup as the tournament progresses. "He won't be at the opening match," Giuliani told British radio station TalkSport. "As we've said, his schedule is packed. But I know he'll be engaged throughout the World Cup."

"One thing I can tell you, knowing President Trump for 30 years, is: expect the unexpected. With him, always anticipate last-minute drama. As this tournament unfolds, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become more and more involved with the World Cup," he added.

It is highly unusual for a host nation's head of state to miss their team's first match at a men's World Cup, the publication noted. Qatar's Emir, Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, attended in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin was in the stands in 2018, and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in 2014.

Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, also did not attend her country's opening match yesterday – a 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday. Instead, she chose to gift her ticket to Yolet Cervantes Quaquehua, a young indigenous woman who won a national competition organized by the Mexican government to secure Sheinbaum's VIP seat at the Estadio Azteca. Sheinbaum was photographed celebrating Mexico's goal in a fan zone in Mexico City. Last month, she told reporters she did not intend to attend any matches in the tournament.

Trump has forged a strong relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and received FIFA's Peace Award during the World Cup draw in December.

Since returning to the White House, he has attended a number of high-profile sporting events, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals this week at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he was booed by the crowd.

Previously, he has attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, UFC fights in Miami and New Jersey, the Daytona 500, the NCAA Wrestling Championship in Philadelphia, the FIFA Club World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, and the men's final of the US Open Tennis Championship.