Over 80,000 fans and Trump expected at World Cup final between Spain and Argentina

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in East Rutherford

Reliability 81 · very high3 h agoJuly 17, 2026

Center-left8
Center30
Center-right3
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Public / State1

33 sources27 independent voices

6 agency rewrites / co-publications detected

12 countries · 5 languagesLeft & right

Summary

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in East Rutherford. The wildfire smoke has affected air quality across parts of the United States, including Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. There is Lionel Messi holding a baby in a bathtub.

Furthermore, The cost is incalculable!" Trump added. He called Infantino and made a recommendation, Trump said – and then turned directly to Infantino, who was standing next to him: “You made a great, great, great decision.” The US striker Balogun had seen the red card in the 2-0 in the sixteenth final against Bosnia-Hercegovina and was therefore automatically blocked for the round of sixteen against Belgium. The US team ultimately defeated the Belgians with 1:4 despite Balogun's use. Trump’s call and the decision to lift the ban had caused great outrage worldwide, but especially in Europe, and were criticized as unacceptable political interference in the sport.

Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET in East Rutherford.
reliability high4/5 sources
The wildfire smoke has affected air quality across parts of the United States, including Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.
reliability moderate3/3 sources
There is Lionel Messi holding a baby in a bathtub.
reliability moderate3/3 sources
The cost is incalculable!" Trump added.
reliability high4/4 sources
He called Infantino and made a recommendation, Trump said – and then turned directly to Infantino, who was standing next to him: “You made a great, great, great decision.” The US striker Balogun had seen the red card in the 2-0 in the sixteenth final against Bosnia-Hercegovina and was therefore automatically blocked for the round of sixteen against Belgium.
reliability moderate2/2 sources
The US team ultimately defeated the Belgians with 1:4 despite Balogun's use. Trump’s call and the decision to lift the ban had caused great outrage worldwide, but especially in Europe, and were criticized as unacceptable political interference in the sport.
reliability moderate2/2 sources
As of Friday, there were about 888 fires actively burning in Canada, according to the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System - with the majority burning out of control.
reliability moderate2/2 sources
Detroit recorded the world's worst air quality on Friday, followed by Chicago, Washington DC and New York.
reliability moderate2/2 sources

Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source

Donald Trump has taken aim at Thomas Tuchel's "unusual" tactics during England's heartbreaking late defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night.
according to Daily Mirror - News +1
By a stroke of pure chance, Messi was paired with a baby from Rocafonda who just so happened to grow up and assume his status as Barcelona’s next great No. 10.
according to Sports Illustrated
Argentina invaded the islands in 1982, prompting a 10-week conflict before British forces retook the territory.
according to The Times of India - Top Stories
Kevin Durant/FIFA via Getty Images Julia Stumbaugh Jul 18, 2026 Lionel Messi joined other sports legends for an iconic selfie shortly before representing Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
according to Bleacher Report
2026 World Cup final – Messi vs Yamal: Sorcerer and the apprentice, by Stephanie Shaakaa. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final on July 19th is not merely a match; it is a funeral for the game as we knew it.
according to Vanguard (Nigeria)
The president told a reception of the international football governing body Fifa in New York he “was supposed to not be here right now”, in reference to the second and final four-year term he would have served if he had won the 2020 election.
according to Evening Standard - News
During his first term in the White House, the US secured both the 2026 World Cup, along with co-hosts Canada and Mexico, and the 2028 summer Olympics, which will be staged in Los Angeles.
according to Evening Standard - News
World Cup 2026: Lifted red lock for Balogun – Trump praises Infantino.
according to DER SPIEGEL
American President Donald Trump celebrated this Friday in New York that the 2026 World Cup has "broken records," becoming the "largest in history," and suggested that the United States repeat as its headquarters in the next.
according to Andina
The 2026 World Cup has been a masterclass in the forced evolution of the sport.
according to Vanguard (Nigeria)

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More than a dozen states are under air quality alerts, and officials in cities including New York and Chicago have urged residents to…
omitted byCenterRight sidePublic / Agenciescovered byLeft side
Trump says 'rigged election' means he gets to host World Cup and Olympics.
omitted byLeft sideCenterRight sidePublic / Agenciescovered byRight side
Argentina World Cup success moves me to tears, says goalkeeper Martinez.
omitted byRight sidePublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenter
The conditions have also led to concerns about Sunday’s World Cup final, which Trump plans to attend, in New Jersey, where poor air quality…
omitted byRight sidePublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenter
Canada is already subject to multiple U.S. tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, including sector-specific levies on steel and autos.
omitted byRight sidePublic / Agenciescovered byLeft sideCenter