U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his presence known at the World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this Sunday.
The occasion was captured in a photograph shared on X by Alejandro Domínguez, the president of Conmebol, showing Rubio alongside Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, head of the Argentine Football Association. They were seen in the VIP box holding an official Argentine jersey adorned with the number 10, AFA crest, FIFA World Cup patch, and player autographs.
"With Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and Chiqui Tapia. Always a pleasure!" wrote Domínguez when posting the image.
Rubio's Unannounced Appearance
Rubio's attendance at the final was not previously disclosed, yet it marked a significant engagement for the Cuban-American official throughout the tournament.
On June 13, Rubio led the official U.S. delegation at the opening match against Paraguay—a 4-1 victory—held at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles before a crowd exceeding 70,000. On that occasion, he also held bilateral talks with Paraguayan President Santiago Peña on regional security and trade issues. Later, on June 28, Rubio was present at the clash between Colombia and Portugal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Trump's Attendance and Other Dignitaries
This Sunday’s final was the sole match attended by former President Donald Trump in person. He arrived at MetLife Stadium via the presidential helicopter, Marine One, roughly 90 minutes before the kickoff. Trump, along with Infantino, presented the trophy to the Spanish captain.
The event also saw the attendance of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, bringing together leaders from the three host nations of the tournament.
A Historic Match with Record-Breaking Attendance
The match was historic as it marked the first encounter between Argentina and Spain in a World Cup final.
The 2026 World Cup set new records with 6.5 million spectators throughout the tournament and contributed nearly $20 billion to the U.S. economy. Tickets for the final reached staggering prices of almost $2.3 million each on FIFA's official resale platform.
Frequently Asked Questions About the World Cup 2026
How many people attended the World Cup 2026?
The tournament saw a record attendance of 6.5 million spectators.
What was the economic impact of the World Cup 2026 on the United States?
The World Cup 2026 generated an economic impact of approximately $20 billion for the United States.
Who were some of the notable figures attending the final match?
Notable attendees included former President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.