Trump to Miss US World Cup Opener Against Paraguay

President Donald Trump will be absent from the United States' World Cup opener against Paraguay, scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles. Sources familiar with the arrangements confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will head the US delegation in Trump's stead.

The State Department has confirmed this decision, which allows the administration to navigate ongoing visa travel issues related to the national delegation involved in the game. Paraguay's President Santiago Peña is reported to be attending the event, having confirmed his travel to Los Angeles for the four-day trip.

This match is significant as it represents the first World Cup match hosted on US soil, part of the larger 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.