Afət Ziyadqızı
US President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez held their first face-to-face meeting during the final match of the 2026 World Cup.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the leaders, who were watching the final match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, engaged in a brief conversation and shook hands in the protocol box.
This encounter marks the first direct contact between the two leaders following recent diplomatic tensions, particularly regarding disagreements over NATO defense spending commitments and policies concerning Iran. Observers note that the meeting, occurring in the informal setting of a global sporting event, may signal a shift toward de-escalation in bilateral relations.
It should be noted that US President Donald Trump has previously criticized Spain for failing to meet NATO defense spending targets and had threatened to impose trade sanctions on Madrid. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has served as a significant venue for international diplomacy, bringing together heads of state from around the globe.
