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President Donald Trump will be at MetLife Stadium for Sunday’s World Cup Final, in all likelihood joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
It is hardly the first time a head of state has attended the World Cup, but with today’s political landscape, this one may just be the most polarizing.
Trump has attended numerous sporting events over the years, including some of the most prestigious events since becoming president a second time. Each time, the president is of course shown on the big screen and broadcast, and depending on the location has gotten different receptions.
This time around, FOX broadcaster John Strong is prepared to report on Trump’s attendance and knows that it will be both heavily praised and scrutinized.
“Certainly when it comes to President Trump, there are no neutral opinions. But that means there are a lot of people in the audience who are super excited to see him at the game, and there are going to be a lot of people in the audience who maybe are less thrilled to have him on their TV screen,” Strong told reporters in a Zoom call Friday.
“As ever, it’s my job to play it down the middle and acknowledge the fact that the United States president being engaged with the sport, being at the game, that’s a fun, unique thing… Whatever I say, the tone of my voice will be scrutinized. It will be what it is. That’s the nature of it.
“But at the end of the day, I don’t think it needs to overshadow the wonderful sport, the wonderful event that this is, even as I say, at the same time, half of America is going to be thrilled to see him there, be so excited that he’s a part of it. And we’ll obviously see what happens with the trophy ceremony and all that as well.”
Infantino first said last month on “Fox & Friends” that Trump would attend the contest, but it is now official after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s attendance, calling it “a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”
Infantino said he and Trump will deliver the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winning team’s captain on the field.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
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Trump and Infantino did the same last year for the FIFA Club World Cup final, also at the New Jersey stadium, when Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain, 3-0. The appearance came one year after an assassination attempt on President Trump in Pennsylvania.
The president participated in the trophy presentation and handed out awards to the players and referees after Chelsea won the match. Trump remained on stage for the celebration, causing some confusion.
Trump got involved in one of the World Cup’s biggest controversies, calling Infantino and requesting a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card. Balogun was suspended for Team USA’s Round of 16 match, but he was later ruled eligible for the game.
Trump has yet to attend a World Cup match, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio was spotted at the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opener against Paraguay, a 4-1 win on June 12.
The president was awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., during the World Cup final draw in December.
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Trump recently attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, while the White House played host to UFC Freedom 250 last month. An IndyCar race will take place in Washington, D.C. next month.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos, Paulina Dedaj and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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