Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino faced a chorus of boos as they entered the field for the trophy presentation, with Trump attempting to join in on Spain’s celebration after their victory.
Arriving via Marine One, Trump’s helicopter flew over the stadium approximately 45 minutes prior to the match. He occupied a glass-enclosed luxury section alongside Infantino, while other notable figures, including King Felipe VI of Spain, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, were seated nearby.
After the US national anthem, Trump briefly appeared on the stadium’s video screens, provoking mild booing from the audience, although it was less intense than the reception he has encountered at past sporting events. However, as he and Infantino took the field post-match, the boos intensified. Following Trump’s presentation of the World Cup trophy to Spain, he attempted to mingle with the team at the podium, but Infantino discreetly guided him away.
This incident mirrored last summer’s Club World Cup at the same venue, where Trump presented the trophy to Chelsea and similarly tried to join the players’ celebration, leaving them puzzled.
This match marked Trump’s first appearance at a game during this summer’s World Cup, which the US co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.
During the 2022 World Cup final, the trophy was awarded to Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates by the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, while Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the trophy to Kylian Mbappé and France after their 2018 victory.
Trump became the first sitting US president to attend a World Cup final on American soil. His predecessor, Bill Clinton, did not attend the final when the US hosted the tournament in 1994, leaving the trophy presentation to Vice President Al Gore.
Trump has maintained a close relationship with Infantino, recently calling him to advocate for a review of the controversial red-card suspension of US player Folarin Balogun ahead of their last-16 match. Although FIFA eventually lifted Balogun’s ban, the political distractions overshadowed the US team, leading to their exit from the tournament following a loss to Belgium.
