Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will attend Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final in New Jersey, where he is expected to cross paths with U.S. President Donald Trump amid continuing tensions over defense spending and U.S. policy toward Iran, according to Reuters.
Sánchez’s office confirmed on Friday that the prime minister will travel to the United States for the match.
Relations between the two leaders have been strained in recent months. Trump has repeatedly criticized Spain for refusing to commit to NATO’s target of spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense and has threatened trade measures against the country.
At the NATO summit earlier this month in Ankara, Trump said he had instructed advisers to consider cutting trade ties with Spain. He later softened his remarks, saying Spain had met its payment commitments and had been “very generous.” Spain’s government said Trump’s remarks amounted to recognition that Madrid had fulfilled NATO’s current 2% defense spending commitment.
The two leaders had a brief informal conversation during the summit, discussing topics including the World Cup, according to Sánchez.
Earlier this year, Sánchez also drew criticism from the Trump administration after Spain declined to allow U.S. forces to use its military bases and airspace during the U.S. strikes on Iran. Sánchez said at the time that Spain remained committed to maintaining strong relations with its allies.
The PM has made several visits to the United States since taking office in 2018, primarily to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He also visited Washington in 2023 for bilateral talks with then-President Joe Biden.
Spain’s royal family, including King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía, is also expected to attend the World Cup final.
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