President Donald Trump has confirmed that he will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but has indicated he will not be present at the United States opening match in Los Angeles. The World Cup tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The United States will play its first match against Paraguay on June 12, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Trump had previously said to reporters that he would attend the first match in the new stadium with his children, but later changed his plans regarding the opening game.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 16 venues throughout the three countries. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the final match scheduled for July 19. The expanded 48-team tournament will include 32 teams advancing to the knockout stage instead of the previous 16.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that Trump will have a significant role at the World Cup, highlighting his administration’s involvement in securing the hosting rights for the joint bid. The president has frequently made appearances at sporting events, though ticket sales for the tournament have faced challenges with thousands of seats remaining unsold.
The US will play three matches in Group D, including games against Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19 in Seattle, and Türkiye on June 25 in Los Angeles. Trump has claimed the World Cup will be the most successful ever held from the standpoint of ticket sales, despite reports showing unsold inventory.
Ticket prices for the tournament have been criticized, with some matches costing up to $3,000 and even lower-profile games starting at $140. The median resale ticket for the US opening match against Paraguay remains more than $800 on official resale portals despite price cuts.
Women’s rights activist and legal expert have raised concerns about visa policies that could affect international fans attending the World Cup in North America.
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