NEW YORK, June 23 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump will present the World Cup final trophy on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday.
The global soccer boss has cultivated a close relationship with the U.S. president, awarding him the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December as Trump sought to elevate sport’s global profile.
“We will be together with the president to enjoy the final and hand the trophy to the winner,” Infantino said on the “Fox & Friends” program.
FIFA added that it had no comment beyond Infantino’s televised remarks.
Trump was met with mixed reactions when he hand‑gave the trophy to last year’s winners, Chelsea, and stood with the team during their lift, prompting confusion among some players, at the same East Rutherford, New Jersey venue.
He has previously attended the U.S. Open men’s tennis final, the Ryder Cup, and the NBA Finals in the Greater New York area.
The World Cup is underway across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the New York New Jersey Stadium set to host the final among its eight scheduled matches.
