Donald Trump didn't show up. On a night when the United States men's national soccer team kicked off its historic home World Cup campaign in Los Angeles, the seat next to Paraguayan President Santiago Peña sat empty of American presidential presence.
The USMNT took care of business on the pitch, blowing past Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in their Group D opener. Folarin Balogun bagged a first-half brace, while Giovanni Reyna put the exclamation point on the win deep in stoppage time. The performance on the field was electric. The political optics in the luxury suites, however, raised plenty of eyebrows.
For a president who loves big stages and routinely brags about bringing the FIFA World Cup 2026 to North America, skipping the opening match is a bizarre move. It breaks a long-standing tradition of global heads of state showing up for their country’s biggest sporting moments.
So where was he?
The Birthday Bash and the Octagon Clash
Andrew Giuliani, chief executive of the White House World Cup Task Force, told the media that Trump’s schedule was simply too tight to make the cross-country flight to California.
The real reason comes down to a mix of personal celebrations and combat sports. Trump stayed behind in Washington to prepare for his 80th birthday celebrations. He also prioritized hosting a major mixed martial arts event, UFC Freedom 250, at the White House this weekend.
We know Trump loves the UFC. He frequently watches matches cageside with Dana White. He chose walk-throughs for a fighting event over sitting in a stadium with 70,000 screaming soccer fans.
It's an unusual choice. In 2022, the Emir of Qatar was front and center for his nation's opener. Vladimir Putin did the same for Russia in 2018, and Dilma Rousseff stood proud for Brazil in 2014. Trump chose to pass.
Behind the Scenes Diplomatic Firefighting
While Trump stayed on the East Coast, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña kept his word. Peña arrived in Los Angeles for a four-day official visit built entirely around supporting his national team.
To make sure Peña wasn't left hanging, the White House sent a high-powered political delegation to fill the void. Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the American group, flanked by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Rubio spent his time in the suite balancing soccer fandom with urgent diplomatic damage control. The buildup to this tournament has been a logistical nightmare behind the scenes. The State Department has been quietly dealing with a wave of visa issues affecting international players, referees, and official delegations trying to enter the United States.
Just days ago, FIFA President Gianni Infantino had to publicly tell soccer federations to "chill" after a high-profile Somali referee was temporarily blocked from entering the country. When asked about the border bottleneck, Trump didn't apologize. He simply stated the administration was working closely to make sure "the right people" come into the country.
The Phone Call to Mauricio Pochettino
Trump didn't completely ignore the team. He made a direct phone call to the USMNT locker room before kickoff to offer his version of a pep talk.
The call went straight to head coach Mauricio Pochettino and captain Tim Ream. Trump praised Pochettino's success and told the squad they have a legitimate chance to go all the way.
"We're all rooting for you," Trump told the players. "The pressure is gone. Have some fun."
Pochettino thanked him and promised the team would make the country proud. They did exactly that on Friday night, though Pochettino has spent the week trying to temper public expectations. He recently criticized the general attitude surrounding American soccer, claiming there's a major mismatch between what the public thinks the team is and what they actually are on the global stage.
What Happens Next for the USMNT
The tournament moves fast. If you're tracking the USMNT journey, here are the immediate next steps to watch out for.
- June 19: The USMNT travels north to face Australia at Seattle Stadium for their second Group D match.
- June 25: The group stage wraps up back in California, where the Americans take on a dangerous Türkiye squad at SoFi Stadium.
- Watch the VIP Box: Andrew Giuliani dropped a heavy hint that we shouldn't rule Trump out for the rest of the summer, stating we should "expect a cliffhanger" regarding his attendance at later knockout rounds.
