Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is departing Sunday for the United States to attend the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The decision comes during a period of intense diplomatic friction with the American government, making his presence at MetLife Stadium particularly significant from a political standpoint. A Spanish government spokesperson confirmed Sánchez’s attendance at the New Jersey stadium. The Spanish royal family had already announced their participation in the match from the stadium’s official VIP suites. US President Donald Trump is also expected to be in attendance, raising expectations of a potentially awkward encounter between the two leaders.
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Madrid-Washington relations at a critical juncture
Relations between the Spanish and American governments have gone through difficult moments in recent months. Pedro Sánchez, as a socialist leader, has voiced strong opposition to the foreign policy pursued by Donald Trump. Most notably, his stance on the war with Iran was unequivocal, with Spain refusing to allow American forces to use shared military air bases for operations in the region. Additionally, the Sánchez government has rejected demands to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP — a target adopted last year by the remaining NATO member states following intense pressure from Trump. At the NATO summit in Ankara in July, the American president had temporarily threatened to cut all trade cooperation with Spain, calling it a “lost cause.” The following day, however, his rhetoric appeared considerably more measured.
Sánchez skips the semifinal for diplomatic reasons, as brief visit rules out bilateral meetings
According to statements made by the Spanish government spokesperson to Politico, Pedro Sánchez’s visit will be extremely brief. Given the limited time he will spend in the country, bilateral meetings with American officials on the sidelines of the World Cup final are considered unlikely. His attendance at the match remained uncertain until recently, as he had a scheduled visit to Algeria the following day. It was confirmed, however, that he will depart immediately after the final whistle. The Spanish Prime Minister did not attend Tuesday’s semifinal against France, instead choosing to participate in Bastille Day celebrations in Paris and meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. This choice underscores Sánchez’s diplomatic priorities at a time when European relations are taking on particular importance.
Milei’s absence and tensions with Spain
On Argentina’s side, President Javier Milei announced he will not be attending the World Cup final, citing precautionary reasons. His relationship with Pedro Sánchez is defined by sharp tension. Milei has publicly attacked both the Spanish Prime Minister and his wife on multiple occasions, a dynamic that has significantly strained bilateral relations between the two countries. Sánchez’s presence at the World Cup final amounts to something far greater than attendance at a sporting event. It represents a significant diplomatic moment at a time when Spain-US relations are in need of careful management.
