Crowds endure two‑hour queues at MetLife Stadium as Trump arrives

Fans clutching tickets for the World Cup final gathered outside MetLife Stadium in New York, where the sight of a security cordon and a sea of supporters created a tense, waiting atmosphere as President Donald Trump arrived for his first match of the tournament. The crowd’s patience was tested by queues that stretched for up to two hours before entry was finally granted.

According to the BBC on Sunday evening, supporters with a ticket for the World Cup final were forced to stand in line for as long as two hours before they could pass through the gates of the stadium. The report highlighted the extraordinary length of the queues, describing them as “huge” and unprecedented for a single match.

The lengthy wait is directly linked to the presence of President Donald Trump, who visited the venue on Sunday to watch his first game of the tournament. His attendance prompted additional security measures that extended the processing time for fans.

The final pits Argentina against Spain and is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 Dutch time. This timing places the match in the evening for European viewers while the local kickoff in New York occurs earlier in the day.

MetLife Stadium, located in New York, has already seen supporters arrive well before the scheduled start, filling the surrounding streets and public transport hubs. The early arrival of fans added to the pressure on stadium staff as they prepared for the high‑profile encounter.

The English BBC reported that ticket‑holding fans faced “enormous queues” and that the waiting period could last up to two hours. Their coverage emphasized the scale of the crowd management challenge created by the presidential visit.

Because of Trump’s presence, the United States Secret Service assumed control of security around the stadium, adding another layer of protocol that contributed to the delay. The heightened security presence was a direct response to the president’s attendance.

Stadium gates opened four hours before the scheduled kickoff, and additional gates were gradually opened as the start time approached to help disperse the crowd. This staged opening was intended to alleviate congestion while maintaining strict security standards.

Despite the prolonged waiting times, the BBC expects that the queues will not cause the match to be postponed. Organisers remain confident that the game will proceed as planned, even with the logistical challenges posed by the presidential visit.