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SportsTrump to attend 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, hand over trophy
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The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has been fortified ahead of the 2026 World Cup final, where US President Donald Trump will attend and hand over the trophy. Security measures include drone surveillance, police monitoring from the stadium's highest points, and restricted mobility during Trump's presence. The article also details the broad political representation, including King Felipe VI of Spain, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and presidents of Mexico and Canada. A list of 2010 Spanish world champions invited by the federation is provided, along with the halftime and closing ceremony performers such as Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Coldplay, Robbie Williams, and Tom Cruise. The stadium opens at 11:00 a.m. local time, with the closing ceremony starting 90 minutes before kickoff.
Source report
Updated: July 18, 2026 — 18:16 CEST Author: José Félix Díaz, Director of AS
The MetLife Stadium is already fortified. Donald Trump will attend Sunday's final, and the venue has been fully taken over by police. The U.S. president will be responsible for handing over the world champion trophy. Security measures are multiplying ahead of his arrival, which will result in maximum restrictions on mobility while Trump is present at the stadium hosting the final World Cup match.
Surveillance will be conducted both by air and from the highest points of the stadium. Drones will close the airspace, and police will monitor all activity from the top of the stadium used by the New York Jets and the New York Giants.
Political and Royal Representation
HM King Felipe VI will lead the broad political and social delegation accompanying the Spanish national team in its second World Cup final. Pedro Sánchez managed to adjust his schedule and will be in the VIP area alongside the Minister of Sports, Milagros Tolón. José Manuel Uribes, Secretary of State for Sports, will also be in New Jersey.
The presidents of Mexico and Canada, Claudia Sheinbaum and Mark Carney, respectively, will attend the final along with other heads of state. Javier Milei, however, will not be at MetLife.
World Champions and Invited Legends
Invited by the Spanish Federation or FIFA, the following 2010 world champions will attend:
- Del Bosque, Casillas, Reina, Albiol, Puyol, Marchena, Busquets, Cesc, Iniesta, Xavi, Navas, Pedro Rodríguez, Llorente, and David Villa
They are among nearly a hundred legends who have been present throughout the World Cup in North America. The Federation also invited Morata, who was captain until a year ago. Samu and Jesús Rodríguez will accompany the Como striker. Others could not attend because they are in the middle of preseason.
Halftime and Closing Ceremony
During the 17-minute halftime, performances will include:
- Madonna, Shakira, BTS, Justin Bieber, Gustavo Dudamel, Coldplay with the PS22 Choir, and Burna Boy
FIFA reports that the closing ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. local time — 90 minutes before the start of the final, which corresponds to 7:30 p.m. Spanish time. The ceremony will feature:
- Robbie Williams, Laura Pausini, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, and Tom Cruise
The doors of the New York New Jersey Stadium will open at 11:00 a.m. New York time.
Related Coverage
- Infantino's reaction after a bad Trump joke about England: a must-see
- Trump wants another World Cup without Mexico and Canada
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Source
Fútbol en AS.comRegional
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Trump turns MetLife into a bunker for World Cup final