Trump to Attend Club World Cup Final as FIFA Opens New Office in Trump Tower

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he will attend the Club World Cup final this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The announcement came during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, signaling the President's continued interest in major sporting events hosted in the U.S.

Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “I’ll be going to the game,” referring to the highly anticipated final of the expanded Club World Cup.

Club World Cup as a Dress Rehearsal for World Cup 2026

This year’s Club World Cup has taken on added significance, being viewed by many as a trial run for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The upcoming tournament will feature a record 48 national teams, making it the largest FIFA World Cup to date.

The final match, scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium, also serves as a preview of the 2026 World Cup final, as the stadium is slated to host the grand finale of the global event.

FIFA Opens New Office in Trump Tower, New York

Coinciding with Trump’s announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed the opening of a new FIFA representative office in Trump Tower, New York. The location will temporarily house the Club World Cup trophy until Sunday’s final.

Infantino praised the U.S. government’s cooperation, saying, “We have received such a big support from the government and from the President with the White House Task Force for the FIFA Club World Cup and for the FIFA World Cup next year.”

The decision to base FIFA operations in the iconic Manhattan building adds symbolic weight to the U.S.'s role in the sport’s global expansion.

Trump’s Continued Spotlight in Major Sporting Events

President Trump has made a point of being visible at high-profile sports events during his second term. Earlier in February, he became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a Super Bowl. In May, he also officially announced that Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft, doing so directly from the Oval Office.

His increasing presence at sporting events underlines his interest in aligning with the mass appeal of major sports, particularly ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will draw global attention to the U.S.

Immigration Policies Raise Concerns Ahead of World Cup 2026

Despite the President’s vocal support for hosting the World Cup, there are concerns surrounding the administration’s strict immigration policies. Trump's earlier travel bans affecting 12 countries have raised questions about the inclusivity and accessibility of the 2026 tournament.

Further worries were sparked last month when a leaked government memo, obtained by Reuters, revealed that the Trump administration is considering expanding the travel ban to include citizens from 36 additional countries.

While FIFA officials have maintained that the world will be “welcomed” in the U.S., many football associations and human rights groups have expressed anxiety over visa issues and equal access for fans, players, and journalists.

A High-Stakes Moment for U.S. Soccer

As the world gears up for the most ambitious FIFA World Cup in history, the United States finds itself under global scrutiny—not just for its organizational capabilities, but also for its social and political climate.

The upcoming Club World Cup final is more than just a sports event; it is a test case for infrastructure, hospitality, and diplomacy in the run-up to 2026. With President Trump attending and FIFA embedding itself in a building synonymous with his brand, the final carries heightened symbolic and logistical importance.