President Trump is “unlikely to show up” to World Cup matches before the final in New Jersey on July 19, where “he is expected to present the trophy,” according to Mendick & Morgan of the London TELEGRAPH. Sources said that it is “possible he will put in an appearance before that,” but only if the U.S. “reach the semi-final,” which would be played in Dallas on July 14. The absence of Trump is perhaps a “great shock of this World Cup so far.” White House World Cup Task Force Exec Dir Andrew Giuliani “insists his boss is revelling in the guessing game of when he might appear.” A fortnight into the tournament, Trump has failed to show at any of the games in his own backyard, including the U.S.’s two victories. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is “in regular contact with Trump but has been unable” to secure “a photo opportunity with his friend at one of the games.” This was supposed to be “Trump’s World Cup.” Sources point out that Trump “has had a lot on his plate,” with a peace deal to broker with Iran, a trip to the G7 summit in France and his 80th birthday celebrations, which included the UFC fight on the White House grounds (London TELEGRAPH, 6/22).
BREAKING PRECEDENT: THE ATHLETIC’s Adam Crafton notes it is “historically unusual for the head of state of a host nation to skip their team’s opening game” at a men’s World Cup but Trump did not attend the U.S.’s opener at L.A. Stadium. An official explanation for the decision to miss the 4-1 win over Paraguay “has not been provided” but the White House hosted the UFC event. People familiar with Trump’s schedule said that “he would be attending walkthroughs for that appearance in the days leading up to it.” He was “not alone in breaking with precedent,” either, as the political leaders of the U.S.’ World Cup co-hosts, Canada and Mexico, “did not attend the opening games in their countries.” Trump’s absence, however, is “more notable because during this second term in office he has rarely missed a big sporting moment on home soil” (THE ATHLETIC, 6/22).
IN FIFA’S NAME: In N.Y., Katrin Bennhold wrote Infantino is not “just going to elaborate lengths” to cultivate Trump; he is “also making the organization more Trump-like in the process.” FIFA is exploring having “licensing deals with hotels to use FIFA’s name,” just as the Trump family has long done. Infantino also “has explored” a FIFA cryptocurrency (N.Y. TIMES, 6/21).
