The entire Royal Family, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, with the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Doña Sofía, acknowledge the nerves and excitement before the World Cup final they are witnessing in New Jersey between Spain and Argentina, hoping that “it will be a great show” and that “it falls” on the Spanish side.
“Nerves, but also confidence because this team will enchant again as their elders did in 2010. We are going to see a spectacular final between two brother countries, and with two incredible teams. It will be a great show and let’s hope it falls on our side,” said Felipe VI in an interview with TVE, moments before the match started at MetLife Stadium.
For her part, Queen Letizia wishes that the whole country can unite in the “same joy”. “We are excited, as all of Spain is, about how the World Cup is going, about how our team is playing. Now all that remains is to win and, as I read this morning, that we can all recognize ourselves in that same joy,” she stated.
The Princess of Asturias and Infanta Doña Sofía acknowledge experiencing the final “with great enthusiasm”, and also with “great joy” to be able to witness “together” a very significant event for national sport, as the Spanish men’s team seeks a second world champion title 16 years later.
Trump at the World Cup final: “It’s hard to bet against Messi”
The U.S. president, Donald Trump, is also at the New York/New Jersey stadium where the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is being held, and although he said he has no favorites, “it’s hard to bet against Messi.”
“The president of Argentina is a good friend of mine, he has done a great job. But what I can say is that it’s hard to bet against (Lionel) Messi,” Trump said shortly before the match to Fox Sports. “I’m not going to pick favorites. I just know I wouldn’t bet against Messi. He’s great.”
Trump greets Felipe VI and Pedro Sánchez in the final box
The U.S. president, Donald Trump, greeted the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, and the kings of Spain at the start of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
Trump shook hands with Sánchez, the Spanish king, Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia in the box behind a bulletproof glass at the start of the match at the New York/New Jersey stadium, commonly known as MetLife.
The leaders exchanged a few brief words before taking their seats: Trump, flanked by his wife, Melania Trump, and FIFA president, Gianni Infantino; Sánchez accompanied by the kings and the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Louzán.
Trump also shared the VIP box with the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, and the Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, leaders of the other two host countries of the 2026 World Cup.
The last time Trump and Sánchez met at an event was at the NATO summit in Ankara in early July.
Trump has been very critical of Sánchez’s government for what he considers a lack of budgetary commitment to Defense within the Atlantic Alliance and for Spain’s refusal to support Washington’s war against Iran.
