The cheers that greeted the national anthem had barely faded when the giant screens inside MetLife Stadium flashed to the man in the VIP box. Within seconds, a chorus of boos, whistles and jeers drowned out any remaining applause: Donald Trump, attending his only match of the 2026 World Cup, had just been given a reception far from the one he had hoped for.
The United States president’s decision to attend the final between Spain and Argentina had already thrown the security operation into chaos. The Secret Service took control of the 82,500-seat stadium, imposing two layers of checks – including airport-style scanners run by the Transportation Security Administration – that left supporters queuing for up to two hours. Gates opened at 11:00 local time, four hours before kick-off, but technical problems forced officials to open additional gates sporadically to ease the congestion. The match was designated a Level 1 special event, the highest security classification in the US, on a par with presidential inaugurations. F-16 fighter jets patrolled the airspace, military marksmen were stationed on rooftops, and a no-fly zone covered the New York and New Jersey area from Friday through Sunday.
“Trump booed at World Cup final; Martinez injured in Manchester United blow.”
Trump arrived via Marine One, his helicopter making a dramatic flyover before landing. But the spectacle did little to win over the crowd. Seconds after the national anthem ended, his image appeared on the screen – and the mood turned sour. The booing was unmistakable, a rare public rebuke for a president who had cultivated a remarkably close bond with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and was expected to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winning captain after the final whistle.
Amid the tension, Manchester United suffered a major injury blow. Defender Lisandro Martinez, starting for Argentina, limped off the pitch during the match, adding to the club’s growing list of fitness concerns. The extent of the injury was not immediately clear, but the sight of the 28-year-old hobbling away will worry United fans.
As the game progressed, the security queues eventually eased, and most fans managed to scan tickets without further issues. But for those who endured the long waits and the unexpected soundtrack of boos, this was a World Cup final that will be remembered for more than just the football.