The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for next Sunday, will not be limited to the conflict on the pitch, but will also witness a new meeting between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and US President Donald Trump, amid continued tensions in their relations over defense, trade and Iran issues.

Reuters reported on Friday that the Spanish Prime Minister's office announced that Sánchez will travel to New Jersey to attend the final match, where Trump, in the event of 'La Roja' winning, may be the one to hand the trophy to the Spanish team.

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The relationship between the two leaders has seen repeated tensions recently, as Trump criticized Spain more than once for its government's refusal to commit to NATO's goal of allocating 5% of GDP to defense spending, and he also threatened to take retaliatory trade measures against Madrid.

The latest of these statements came earlier this month during the NATO summit, when Trump asked his advisers to 'cut all trade relations with Spain, including visits.'

However, the US president later softened his tone, confirming that Spain had fulfilled the required payments and was 'very generous.'

In response, the Spanish Prime Minister affirmed that his country seeks to establish the best possible relations with its allies, adding that the meeting with Trump on the sidelines of the NATO summit included an informal and friendly conversation that touched on a number of topics, including the World Cup.

The Spanish Prime Minister has traveled to the United States several times since taking office, most of them to participate in UN General Assembly meetings in New York, and he also visited Washington in 2023 for bilateral meetings with former US President Joe Biden.

In the same context, the Spanish royal family confirmed their attendance at the final match, with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and their daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia in the stands to support 'La Roja'.