Is Trump the first president to attend a World Cup final?

President Donald Trump is set to make history this Sunday as he prepares to attend the final men’s World Cup game in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Grand Finale

Soccer fans across the globe are turning their eyes to East Rutherford, where Argentina and Spain will face off for the World Cup final at 3 p.m. ET. The White House confirmed that Trump will be in attendance as the United States concludes its hosting duties for one of the planet's premier sporting events.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the President's attendance will serve as a capstone for what has been the most-watched and successful World Cup in American history, showcasing the nation's capacity to host the world on such a massive scale.

A Presidential Trophy Presentation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, a close ally of the President, previously confirmed on “Fox & Friends” that he and Trump will jointly present the trophy to the tournament victors. "We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together," Infantino stated.

The tournament has not been without controversy for Trump, who faced criticism earlier this month regarding reports that he contacted Infantino to urge the overturning of a suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Despite the intervention, the U.S. men's national team was eventually eliminated by Belgium.

Historical Context

Trump’s appearance marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the first U.S. president to attend a men’s World Cup final. While the U.S. previously hosted in 1994, then-President Bill Clinton spoke at the opening ceremony but skipped the final match, which saw Vice President Al Gore hand the trophy to Brazil's captain.

However, Clinton is noted for attending the women’s final game in Pasadena back in 1999, where he witnessed the U.S. women’s team secure their second World Cup title.