President Donald Trump will not attend the opening match of the FIFA World Cup held in the USA, between the national teams of the USA and Paraguay on Friday in Los Angeles. This was reported by Politico, citing two knowledgeable sources, according to UNN.
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As the publication notes, Trump's absence is notable since the USA is a co-host of the World Cup — one of the largest sporting events in the world. Meanwhile, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña announced on Wednesday that he would attend the match in California.
Instead, the official US delegation to the match will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the US Department of State announced.
The decision comes as the administration faces a series of diplomatic and organizational challenges related to the tournament, including visa issues for some participating countries and delegations.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized the significance of the World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, which will also take place in Los Angeles, calling them key international events during his presidency and an opportunity to showcase US strength.
Peña's office reported that he will arrive in Los Angeles on Thursday for a four-day visit, which will include attending the match on Friday.