Trump's UFC Event Overshadows U.S. World Cup Opener in Washington

The U.S. men's national soccer team kicked off their World Cup 2026 campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles. However, the excitement surrounding the match in Washington D.C. was notably dampened by a concurrent UFC weigh-in event celebrating President Donald Trump's birthday.

Despite a thunderstorm, dozens of fans congregated at the National Mall for a 'fan fest' to watch the game on a giant screen. The entry process to the fan zone proved chaotic, with many attendees, including families and Paraguayan supporters, experiencing difficulties gaining access just minutes before kickoff.

The soccer match's visibility in the capital was further diminished by the large crowd, estimated at over 500 people, gathered for the weigh-in featuring fighters Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. This event, held near the Lincoln Memorial, preceded a Sunday fight card at the White House.

While some sports bars in D.C. were reportedly packed, the overall buzz in the capital seemed to favor the Trump-related UFC event. Reports also emerged on social media criticizing the Los Angeles stadium for not being completely full during the U.S. team's debut. Notable attendees at the stadium included tech magnate Bill Gates, artist Katy Perry, and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present, alongside Paraguayan President Santiago Peña.