Trump to Watch World Cup Final in New Jersey

US President Donald Trump will be among the high-profile guests present at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final in New Jersey. The White House confirmed that Trump will travel to the New York-New Jersey Stadium to watch the title clash between defending champions Argentina and Spain.

Before the final, Trump is also scheduled to attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the tournament had been one of the most successful sporting events hosted in the United States, highlighting its security arrangements, global reach and record viewership.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also confirmed that he will attend the final alongside Trump. The two are expected to participate in the trophy presentation ceremony after the conclusion of the match.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 final will be played on July 19 (local time). Argentina secured their place in the final after defeating England 2-1 in the semi-final, while Spain advanced with a 2-0 victory over France.

FIFA Announces Officials for Final and Third-Place Match

FIFA has officially named the refereeing teams for the tournament's final two matches.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will oversee the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. He will be assisted by fellow Slovenians Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as assistant referees. Adham Makhadmeh has been appointed as the fourth official, while Mohammad Alkalaf will serve as the reserve assistant referee.

For the third-place playoff between England and France, Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela will take charge. He will be assisted by Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno, with Jalal Jayed serving as the fourth official and Zakaria Brinsi as reserve assistant referee.

The appointments come after weeks of scrutiny over officiating performances during the tournament and are expected to ensure experienced management of two of the competition's biggest fixtures.

Pele's 1958 World Cup Jersey Sets Auction Record

In another major football story, a jersey worn by Brazilian football icon Pele during the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has been sold for approximately ₹42 crore ($4.9 million) at a Sotheby's auction in New York.

The jersey, worn by Pele when Brazil defeated Sweden 5-2 in the final, attracted intense interest from collectors. According to auction organisers, ten bids were placed during the sale, involving more than five bidders.

The sale makes it the most expensive piece of Pele memorabilia ever auctioned and the second-most expensive football jersey sold in history. The record remains with Diego Maradona's famous "Hand of God" World Cup jersey from 1986, which sold for $9.3 million in 2022.

Pele was just 17 years old when he scored twice in the 1958 final, helping Brazil secure its first World Cup title. He remains the youngest player ever to score in a FIFA World Cup final, a record that still stands nearly seven decades later.

With the final now just days away, attention is firmly fixed on New Jersey, where football's biggest prize will be decided between Argentina and Spain. Off the pitch, the presence of global political leaders and the continued celebration of football's rich history underline the worldwide significance of the tournament.