Donald Trump spoke to the players as he handed them their medals (Image: Getty)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was over. But there was still one final chance for US President Donald Trump to upstage FIFA’s Gianni Infantino. Trump’s presence at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey created pandemonium, with journalists and supporters instructed to navigate heightened security measures up to four hours before kick-off.
Things settled once the match got underway. Spain required extra time to overcome a lacklustre Argentina team 1-0, as Ferran Torres emerged as the match-winner and left Lionel Messi in tears. There was a huge bust-up after the final whistle that is sure to result in further FIFA punishment for some Argentina players. The trophy presentation and awards ceremony followed, with Trump predictably taking centre stage.
Trump distributed the medals during the awards ceremony, which saw Rodri receive the Golden Ball, Pau Cubari best Young Player and Unai Simon receive the Golden Glove. While Kylian Mbappe of France claimed the Golden Boot, he was absent from the fixture.
Trump then draped medals around the players’ necks, culminating with Spain captain Rodri. The Spanish skipper was observed kissing the World Cup trophy, and stood expectantly for Trump to deliver it for the official presentation.
Last summer, Trump attracted attention for presenting the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea and lingering on stage throughout the trophy lift. The Chelsea squad appeared bewildered at the time, while Infantino frantically attempted to usher Trump from the platform.
Although the plan had always been for Trump to present the World Cup trophy, it was expected that Infantino and FIFA would take steps to avoid a repeat of last year’s events. But despite Infantino’s renewed attempts to guide him away from the stage, Trump remained, beaming, as the Spain squad savoured fulfilling a lifelong ambition just yards to his right.
After Rodri raised the World Cup trophy aloft, Trump eventually then chose to depart and left the stage alongside Infantino. The US President had already ignored Infantino’s appeal and will be permanently featured in the photographs with the Spain players. The Spanish national team’s official X account noticeably cropped him out of one celebratory post.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Donald Trump helps hand the trophy to Rodri (Image: Getty)
But it was yet another instance of Trump inserting himself into a situation where he did not belong. All sport is about the athletes, the coaching staff, and their families, and this particular trophy presentation belonged to an inspired Spanish squad that had controlled the tournament, conceding just one goal along the way to glory.
For the majority of the 26 players, this will represent a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment and moment, though that’s not to diminish their quality or ability. Argentina had the opportunity to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to defend the World Cup successfully, and joined the list of champions unable to do so.
Those Spanish players will always reflect upon those memorable photographs and, sadly, see Trump smiling on stage in front of them. FIFA maintains its position as a non-political organisation, and until lately, when Trump helped get Folarin Balogun’s red card suspended, and Argentina brought out a Falklands banner, most political matters were excluded from sport.
FIFA have crossed the boundaries on several occasions previously, but this has been especially apparent throughout this World Cup. They have crossed the line multiple times.
Fortunately, the Spanish players appeared unconcerned at the time and remained entirely concentrated on savouring something they had aspired to throughout their lives. While supporters had hoped that Trump would show respect towards the Spain squad, ultimately, very few were surprised by what they watched.