Published On 11/6/2026
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Last update: 11:29 (Mecca time)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation of President Donald Trump’s administration in the US national team’s opening match against Paraguay on Friday in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the US State Department said.
The top US diplomat will be joined at the match in Los Angeles by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullen.
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State Department spokesman Tommy Pigot said in a statement that the World Cup “represents a defining moment for the Trump administration, showcasing American leadership and hospitality to a global audience as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary.”
Pigot added that on the sidelines of the match, Rubio will meet with Paraguayan President Santiago Peña “to advance the strategic partnership between the United States and Paraguay, which includes regional security, trade, investment, and emerging technology.”
The United States will host the tournament jointly with Canada and Mexico, with the first match starting Thursday in the capital, Mexico City.
Trump said Wednesday that he intends to attend the World Cup, but he did not specify which match or matches he would attend.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he expected Trump to hand the cup to the winning team in the final on July 19 in New Jersey, as he did during the Club World Cup last year.
