He Ignored Boos and Gestures to Step Aside... Trump Once Again Steals the Spotlight During Spain's Trophy Ceremony

Remained beside the squad just as at last year's Chelsea awards

Applauded right next to the players, appearing in the broadcast shot

Infantino hurried to usher him aside amid crowd boos

Although Spain lifted the championship trophy, U.S. President Donald Trump was also center stage during the global broadcast. On July 20, Yonhap News reported that President Trump once again came under criticism for refusing to leave the scene of the trophy ceremony for the winning team at the awards presentation of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup final. This repeated a scene from last year's Club World Cup final, where he appeared alongside Chelsea's victory celebration and faced criticism, recreating the controversy just one year later.

After handing over the trophy, President Infantino attempted to move off-camera for the team's ceremony. However, President Trump remained standing right next to the Spanish team. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the World Cup final held at New York–New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA, securing the title for the first time in 16 years since 2010. Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the second half of extra time, giving Spain its second-ever World Cup trophy. After the match, President Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the podium for the awards ceremony. As the two entered the field, loud boos erupted from the stands. Reuters reported that as Trump and Infantino entered the stadium for the awards ceremony, they were met with jeers from the crowd. Even immediately after the U.S. national anthem, some booing continued when President Trump appeared on the jumbotron.

President Trump presented the runners-up medals to Argentina's Lionel Messi and his teammates, then awarded the winners' medals to Spain's Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and others. He then moved with President Infantino, carrying the World Cup trophy and handing it to Spanish captain Rodri. The controversy erupted in the moments that followed.

Another Disruptive Display at Trophy Ceremony, Following the Club World Cup

After handing over the trophy, President Infantino tried to move off camera for the team's celebration. However, President Trump remained standing right next to the Spanish squad. Even when President Infantino approached and tried to guide him to the side, President Trump lingered near the team, clearly appearing in the first scene of the trophy celebration.

After handing over the trophy, President Infantino tried to move off camera for the team's ceremony. However, President Trump remained standing right next to the Spanish team. Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

As Rodri lifted the cup and the Spanish players leaped in celebration, President Trump looked into the camera and offered applause. The Associated Press reported, "President Trump stood smiling right next to the Spanish players as they celebrated." The Guardian wrote that President Trump tried to join Spain’s victory party, and Infantino quietly attempted to move him aside.

Within the football world, criticism arose that the host country's head of state lingered far too long during the trophy ceremony, when all focus should be on the champions and players. Some argued that the moment transcended a mere ceremonial mishap and amounted to using the sport’s most symbolic moment for political image-making. The main issue is that this was not the first time such a scene has unfolded.

President Trump became the center of off-field controversy during this World Cup. It was revealed that President Trump personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card penalty received by U.S. team forward Paularyn Balogun in the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. AP Yonhap News

Last July, President Trump also remained beside the Chelsea team during the FIFA Club World Cup final awards ceremony at the same venue. Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 for the championship at that time. President Infantino withdrew from the camera view, but President Trump stood right among the players as captain Reece James lifted the trophy. Even then, he received boos during the anthem and ceremony. With the same scene repeated despite last year’s controversy, many have suggested that this was not a mere mistake but rather a conscious attempt to remain in the camera’s focus. Most significantly, at both events, President Infantino gave President Trump the direct role of presenting the trophy, and Trump appeared in the celebration scenes alongside the winning teams.

FIFA’s Independence Controversy Overshadowed by $15 Billion Spectacle

President Trump also became the center of off-field controversy during this World Cup. It was revealed that he personally called FIFA President Gianni Infantino requesting a review of the red card penalty issued to U.S. team forward Folarin Balogun during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. As Balogun’s suspension was delayed, allowing him to play in the round of 16 against Belgium, controversy erupted as political power appeared to influence FIFA’s disciplinary decision. FIFA claimed it was an independent decision by its Disciplinary Committee, but acknowledged the call between Trump and Infantino had taken place.

On the eve of the tournament’s conclusion, President Trump called for the United States to host the World Cup again, stating, "Next time, let’s exclude Canada and Mexico." The next tournament available for bidding is the 2038 World Cup. This public exclusion of co-hosts sparked criticism that President Trump was attempting to monopolize the World Cup as a political and commercial triumph for the United States.

President Donald Trump leveraged his political influence and the host country's huge market to make the final scene of the World Cup his own stage. AP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, The Guardian estimated that FIFA’s revenue from this World Cup will likely reach $15 billion, far exceeding the previously projected $11 billion (approximately 22 trillion won). The increase was driven by high-priced hospitality packages and steep official resale market fees. For the first time in World Cup history, the final also featured a large-scale halftime show, blending American sports entertainment with commercialism.

President Trump leveraged his political influence and the host country’s vast market to make even the final moments of the World Cup his stage. FIFA President Infantino tried to guide him away for the team’s celebration, but could not fully remove Trump from Spain's historic trophy-lifting moment.

For FIFA, which achieved a $15 billion box office result, President Trump may be not just an uncomfortable political figure but also its most powerful business partner. The image of a president trying to overshadow the winning team, and a FIFA unable to stop him, stands as a defining—and bitter—scene of this North American World Cup.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.