During Thursday's briefing, a journalist posed a curious question to press secretary Karoline Leavitt: Will President Donald Trump root for the Albiceleste team due to alleged "frictions" or ill feelings towards Spain?
Leavitt, in a relaxed tone, admitted not having consulted this specific detail with the president before her appearance. "It's a very good question," acknowledged the secretary, adding that she felt "disappointed" for not anticipating that the topic would arise in the press conference. However, she promised an official response as soon as possible, suggesting to reporters to ask Trump directly when they see him before the match, predicting that the president will have a "funny" response regarding this.
Trump's attendance at the final, which will take place this Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has already been officially confirmed. His soccer agenda will begin on Friday with a FIFA reception at the Trump Tower in Manhattan. This meeting will mark Trump's debut in the stands of this tournament, as neither he nor Vice President JD Vance have attended any of the 102 matches played so far in the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that Trump will actively participate in the trophy presentation to the winning team. Leavitt emphasized that the president's presence will crown what she describes as the "most-watched, secure, and successful" World Cup in the history of the United States. The close relationship between Trump and Infantino, marked by previous collaborations and gestures such as the FIFA's first Peace Prize awarded to the president, ensures that the head of state will be a central figure in the competition's closure, regardless of his soccer preferences.