Trump to Skip World Cup Opener for UFC Event Amid Border Controversy
The absence of the US President from the opening fixture against Paraguay highlights growing tensions over tournament accessibility and public sentiment.
US President Donald Trump is set to miss the United States' opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday evening. Instead of attending the fixture, which marks the commencement of the US campaign as one of three co-hosts, Trump will remain in Washington to host a UFC event, dubbed UFC Freedom, at the White House on Saturday evening. The event is scheduled to coincide with his 80th birthday and the US 250th anniversary.
Secretary of State Mark Rubio is expected to attend the World Cup opener in Trump’s place, accompanied by Transport Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The decision to withdraw from the stadium has been widely reported, barring a late U-turn, and contrasts with the tradition of state figureheads appearing at their nation’s first match, similar to the attendance of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2022 and Vladimir Putin in 2018.
The tournament’s start has been clouded by controversy regarding high ticket prices and strict border controls. Fans from more than half of the qualified countries require visas to enter the United States, adding cost and uncertainty for travellers already wary of tight border enforcement. The Trump administration recently denied entry to a Somali referee over alleged links to suspected members of terror organisations, further intensifying scrutiny of the visa regime.
Public enthusiasm in the US remains low, with polls indicating that half of Americans are indifferent to the event. Interest is currently overshadowed by the concurrent NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-1. In cities like New York and Los Angeles, local focus remains firmly on basketball, with many residents admitting they have not kept up with the tournament due to the dominance of the basketball series.
Trump has a history of attending major sporting events, including the Ryder Cup in New York last year and the Club World Cup final in New Jersey last summer. However, his recent appearances have not always been welcomed; he was booed during the NBA Finals last week, and Vice-President JD Vance was booed at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan earlier this year. The US campaign begins on Friday, June 12, following Mexico’s opening of the tournament in Mexico City on Thursday.
