Argentina and Spain supporters put aside their rivalries and united to boo Donald Trump when the US president appeared on screen during the World Cup final. Trump’s attendance at the final race had been expected for some time. Federal agents, local police and private security companies have been coordinating Sunday security operations for nearly two years in preparation for the president’s expected appearance at the convention’s marquee event.
Nevertheless, technical issues delayed many spectators and members of the media from entering MetLife Stadium, as measures were taken in response to President Trump’s decision to attend. This, combined with his widely unpopular position after choosing to intervene in Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension, led to negative reception in New Jersey. Just before kickoff, just seconds after the national anthem, President Trump appeared on a giant screen inside MetLife Stadium. The cheers that accompanied the national anthem quickly turned to boos, whistles and jeers directed at the president, who was left red-faced by the reaction he received. President Trump arrived in a Marine One helicopter and took a dramatic flyover over MetLife Stadium before the game began.
President Trump was keen to avoid a repeat of that widely shared moment during the New York Knicks game, but security officials were not leaving anything to chance. F-16 fighter jets, military gunners and thousands of FBI agents were deployed to protect MetLife Stadium and the surrounding airspace.
The event is classified as a “Level 1” special event, the highest security designation available in the United States, on par with the presidential inauguration and the State of the Union.
A strictly enforced no-fly zone will cover the New York and New Jersey area from Friday until Sunday’s World Cup final, with snipers stationed on stadium roofs and heavily fortified perimeter lines expected to cause significant delays for supporters.
After the match, after Spain or Argentina win, President Trump is expected to join FIFA president Gianni Infantino to present the winning captain with the iconic World Cup trophy.
The 80-year-old played in last summer’s Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain and took part in the celebrations as Chelsea lifted the trophy. Mr. Trump and Mr. Infantino have developed a very close bond.
The partnership between the two is unprecedented between a FIFA president and a head of state, culminating in the unusual first presentation of the FIFA Peace Prize during the World Cup draw last December.
Ahead of the World Cup final, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt defended the scope of the security arrangements. She described Trump’s attendance as the crowning moment of the convention’s accomplishments.
“His presence will cap off the most watched, safest and most successful World Cup in U.S. history,” Levitt said.
