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President Donald Trump was spotted at the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on Sunday.
Standing between First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump watched from his suite as the sold-out crowd listened to a beautiful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by Jennifer Hudson.
Team USA may have been knocked out in the round of 16 by Belgium, but as one of the three host countries and where the final took place, Hudson did not disappoint as usual.
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President Donald Trump stands by the FIFA World Cup trophy as he listens to FIFA President Gianni Infantino speak during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York. (Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The crowd of over 80,000 fans cheered as Hudson hit every note and Trump was featured on the FOX broadcast at the end as applause rained down on the field.
However, the closing ceremony was more than that. British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams was there to perform, while actor Tom Cruise gave a speech to the crowd about how unity and togetherness has been shown throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico throughout this month-long tournament.
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In the end, there can only be one winner, but the FIFA World Cup showed the power of unity, which Cruise and the football organization wanted to remind every person in the crowd before kick-off.
The World Cup trophy was also delivered in a Louis Vuitton suitcase by Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, while Argentina’s 1978 World Cup champion Mario Kempes raised it for all the crowd to see.
President Donald Trump speaks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City on July 17, 2026. Later that weekend, Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
As the ceremony ended, both teams took to the field in East Rutherford, New Jersey, surely filled with anxious energy and anticipation for what they each hope will end in joyous celebration rather than tears of defeat.
For Lionel Messi and Argentina, they hope to retain their title as the best team in the world after defeating France in Qatar in 2022.
Jennifer Hudson performs the US National Anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Elsa/Getty Images)
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For Spain, it’s only their second ever World Cup final, but it was a victory celebration in 2010. Now, with phenom Lamine Yamal and savvy veterans like Mikel Moreno, this team hopes it’s their turn to finally lift the trophy.
