Back in 1994, when the World Cup first landed on American soil, Bill Clinton stood at Soldier Field in Chicago and called the tournament a "magnificent celebration" that had captured the nation’s imagination. Fast forward thirty-two years, and the U.S. is hosting again—this time alongside Canada and Mexico. Yet as the group stage wraps up and the knockout rounds loom, one very noticeable figure has been missing from the stands: Donald Trump. The president hasn’t shown up to a single match, despite the U.S. team winning two of their three games and securing a spot in the next round. It’s raising eyebrows, especially since Trump seemed so invested early on.
Trump’s absence feels even stranger when you consider how much he’s tied himself to the event in the past. He didn’t just mention the World Cup in passing—he made it a centerpiece. During a rally right before his second inauguration, he name-dropped the tournament like it was a done deal he’d be front and center. Then, last December, he took center stage at the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., where FIFA handed him their first-ever Peace Prize. Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, has practically become a regular at Mar-a-Lago, and Trump has made appearances at other big-ticket sports moments—last year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Club World Cup final, even the Ryder Cup’s opening day. So why skip the World Cup? The contrast is glaring, especially when other host leaders, like Qatar’s Emir and Russia’s Putin, made sure to be at their teams’ opening matches.
Political strategist Federico de Jesus, who worked under Barack Obama, isn’t shocked. "It’s not out of character," he told BBC Sport. "Trump’s got a thing for UFC—he’s cultivated that relationship, and it’s the sport he’s most connected to." De Jesus pointed out Trump’s pattern of only showing up for the biggest, most high-profile events. The Super Bowl? Check. The World Cup final? Probably. But the group-stage games? Not so much. When the U.S. played Paraguay in their opener in Los Angeles, Trump was nowhere to be found. Instead, Secretary of State Mark Rubio flew in from D.C. Two days later, Trump was busy hosting an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn, celebrating his 80th birthday and America’s 250th. Priorities, right?
The president’s no-show streak continued through the next two U.S. matches—against Australia in Seattle and Turkey in L.A. No last-minute appearances, no surprise drop-ins. It’s not that he’s ignoring the tournament entirely; earlier this month, he praised FIFA for selling a record number of tickets, calling it "the most successful World Cup they’ve ever had." But when it comes to actually showing up, he’s been a ghost. Some might argue it’s strategic—why waste time on games that aren’t guaranteed to be blockbusters? But for a president who’s never shied away from the spotlight before, it’s a curious choice. The World Cup is a global stage, and with the U.S. team still in the running, you’d think he’d want to be part of the moment.
So will Trump make an appearance before the final? De Jesus thinks it’s likely—"Expect the same again," he said, meaning Trump will probably save his grand entrance for the biggest night of all. Until then, the president’s empty seat at the World Cup will keep sparking questions. Is it indifference? A calculated move? Or just another example of Trump doing things his own way? Whatever the reason, it’s hard to ignore the contrast between his early enthusiasm and his current absence. For now, the only thing certain is that the tournament’s halfway over, and the man who once seemed so eager to claim it as his own has yet to step foot in the stadium. 🏟️
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