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President Donald Trump was spotted Sunday at the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Trump, standing between first lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, watched from his suite as the sold-out crowd listened to a magnificent rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by Jennifer Hudson.
Team USA may have been eliminated in the round of 16 against Belgium, but as one of three host nations and being the venue for the final, Hudson did not disappoint as usual.
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President Donald Trump stands next to the FIFA World Cup Trophy as he listens to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s speech during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York. (Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The crowd of more than 80,000 fans cheered as Hudson played every note, and Trump was shown on the FOX broadcast at the end as applause rained down onto the field.
But the closing ceremony was much more than that. British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams was on hand to perform, while actor Tom Cruise gave a speech to the crowd about how solidarity and unity was shown in the United States, Canada and Mexico throughout the month-long tournament.
FOX WORLD CUP ANNOUNCER SAYS TRUMP APPEARANCE AT FINAL IS ‘A FUN, UNIQUE THING’ DESPITE POTENTIAL COUNTERPLAY
Ultimately, there can only be one winner, but the FIFA World Cup demonstrated the power of unity, something Cruise and the soccer organization wanted to remind every person in the crowd before kickoff.
The World Cup trophy was also presented in a Louis Vuitton suitcase by Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, while Argentina’s 1978 World Cup champion Mario Kempes hoisted it in full view of the crowd.
President Donald Trump speaks alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York, July 17, 2026. Later this weekend, Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
As the ceremony drew to a close, both teams took the field in East Rutherford, New Jersey, surely filled with anxious energy and anticipation of what each of them hopes will end in a joyous celebration rather than tears of defeat.
For Lionel Messi and Argentina, they hope to retain their title as the best team in the world after beating France in Qatar in 2022.
Jennifer Hudson performs the US national anthem before the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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For Spain, it’s only their second World Cup final, but it was a celebration of victory in 2010. Now this team, featuring phenom Lamine Yamal and savvy veterans like Mikel Moreno, will be hoping it’s their turn to lift the trophy in the end.
