Donald Trump to skip USA's team FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Paraguay, says Andrew Giuliani. Here's why

Former President Donald Trump will not attend the United States’ opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California. Andrew Giuliani, chief executive of the World Cup task force, confirmed this during an interview with TalkSport, citing Trump’s tight schedule. Giuliani added that Trump remains engaged with the tournament and may participate in future events, stating, 'Always expect a cliffhanger with him.'" "Trump will instead be in Washington, D.C., to host UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday, coinciding with his 80th birthday. The U.S. delegation at the match will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, as confirmed by the State Department." "Security measures for the World Cup matches in the U.S. include crowd management and anti-drone systems to ensure a secure environment across host cities. Giuliani noted that Trump’s absence from the opening match is unusual for a host nation’s head of state but not unprecedented, referencing Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s absence from her country’s opening match." "Trump has previously attended major sporting events, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden earlier this week, where he faced boos from some spectators. Giuliani suggested Trump may increase his engagement with the tournament as it progresses, emphasizing his unpredictable approach to events.