UMVA has learned that President Donald Trump will likely skip the United States’ opening ceremony and the first match of the World Cup against Paraguay.
Instead, the official U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accompanied by Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin.
While the world watches the kickoff, another historic sporting event unfolds just steps away from the White House.
UFC Freedom 250 will take place on Sunday, with the octagon relocated to the South Lawn for a night of championship fights that commemorates 250 years of American independence.
Trump’s long‑standing ties to the UFC are on full display, as he has hosted early events at his Atlantic City casinos and maintains a close friendship with UFC president Dana White.
The President’s schedule is packed with preparations for the MMA weekend, including walkthroughs starting Friday that will keep him in Washington.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s president, who promised to give away his ticket, will not attend the opening match against South Africa, declaring that the nation’s pride will be represented by its players rather than its head of state.
These developments set the stage for a World Cup weekend that blends international football with high‑stakes American sports, all under the watchful eye of UMVA’s exclusive reporting.
