- US president Donald Trump is expected to be absent from the Los Angeles Stadium for the USA's opening 2026 World Cup match against Paraguay on Friday evening, despite state figureheads typically attending such events.
- Instead of the president, Secretary of State Mark Rubio, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin are scheduled to represent the US at the opening ceremony.
- The US president will instead host a UFC event, “UFC Freedom”, at the White House on Saturday evening, coinciding with his 80th birthday and the USA’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
- This absence follows a pattern of the US president regularly attending major sporting events during his two terms, though some of his recent public appearances have been met with boos, including when he attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday.
- The tournament's start has been overshadowed by controversies including high ticket prices, strict US border controls requiring visas for fans from many countries, and the administration's denial of entry to a Somali referee .
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