Trump Will Miss USA's World Cup Opener Against Paraguay

President Donald Trump will not be at the United States' first World Cup match against Paraguay on Friday in Inglewood, California.

This was confirmed by Andrew Giuliani, the CEO of the World Cup task force, during an interview on a UK radio station, as reported by the Economic Times on Friday.

“He’s not going to end up attending the opening game,” Giuliani told TalkSport. “As we’ve said, his scheduling is tight. But I know he’s going to be engaged throughout this World Cup.

“He needs to be in Washington, D.C., later in the weekend. He is hosting the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday, his 80th birthday.”

It is unusual for a head of state from a host country to miss their nation’s World Cup opener, but it has happened before. President Claudia Sheinbaum of co-host Mexico was not there on Thursday when her nation won against South Africa 2-0.

The US delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. The State Department confirmed their attendance in a news release earlier this week.

Giuliani, who is the son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, was unsure when Trump would show up.

“Having known President Trump for now 30 years, what I can tell you is: expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him,” Giuliani said. “Throughout the course of this tournament, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see him engage more and more with the World Cup.”

A sports fan noted that Trump has attended many big events while president, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden earlier this week. He was greeted with a chorus of boos.