Trump to skip USA's World Cup opener to attend UFC events in Washington

Donald Trump will miss the United States’ opening World Cup fixture against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday, with the president set to remain in Washington for commitments connected to Sunday’s UFC event at the White House.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent the administration at the game, accompanied by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. Rubio is also scheduled to meet Paraguay president Santiago Pena on the sidelines. Mauricio Pochettino’s side face the South Americans in Los Angeles in what is a historic occasion for the host nation.

According to The Athletic, sources indicated Trump is expected to be in the capital on Friday and will participate in walk-throughs and other preparatory events ahead of the UFC card. The president attended the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals match against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week.

Trump’s absence would break a recent pattern: the United States head of state attended their nation’s opener at each of the last three World Cups.

The tournament itself has already attracted significant controversy before a ball has been kicked. Fans have voiced anger over ticket pricing that many felt excluded them from attending, while uncertainty over Iran’s participation — stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East — cast a shadow over the build-up.

A fresh controversy emerged days before kick-off when Somalian referee Omar Artan, who had been named on FIFA’s final officiating list and was set to become the first official from the Horn of Africa to referee at a World Cup, was denied entry into the United States. The Trump administration stated the decision was made due to Artan’s alleged links to “suspected members of terror organisations”. Artan had been recognised as Africa’s best male referee last season.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino addressed the mounting controversies at a press conference on Wednesday, telling reporters it was “good to chill and relax” and stating he did not regret selecting the United States as a host nation. “I’m used to dealing with issues,” Infantino said. “If there are not big issues, they are small and become big.”