Trump to miss USA’s World Cup opener against Paraguay — Official

President Donald Trump will not be present for the United States' opening match in the World Cup competition against Paraguay on Friday. The confirmation came from Andrew Giuliani, CEO of the World Cup task force, in an interview with a UK radio station.

Giuliani cited Trump's demanding schedule as the reason for his absence from the opening game. The President is expected to be in Washington D.C. later in the weekend to host the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, which coincides with his 80th birthday celebration.

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He’s not going ‌to end up ⁠attending ⁠the opening game. As we’ve said, his scheduling is tight. ​But I know he’s going to be engaged throughout this World Cup.

While it is unusual for a host nation's head of state to miss the World Cup opener, it is not unprecedented. Co-host Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum was also absent from her nation's opening match. The U.S. delegation attending the game will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin.

Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, suggested that Trump's engagement with the World Cup might increase throughout the tournament, advising to "expect the unexpected" with the President. Trump has attended other major sporting events during his presidency, sometimes facing boos from the crowd, as seen at an NBA Finals game earlier in the week.

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Having known ​President Trump for ⁠now 30 years, what I can tell you is: expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him.