EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey: US President Donald Trump grabbed a share of the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday (Jul 19), staying on stage with winners Spain as they lifted the trophy after beating Argentina.Despite being met by resounding boos as he walked on to the pitch with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump basked in the attention at the end of a tournament he has called "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world".Trump briefly lingered on stage as Infantino tried to lead him away while the Spanish team held the trophy aloft in celebration.The 80-year-old US leader even did a quick version of his trademark "Trump dance" in front of the Spanish players.
Trump had arrived on his Marine One helicopter at the New York-New Jersey stadium to watch Spain and Argentina battle it out for the trophy.During the game, he sat next to Infantino and First Lady Melania Trump and stood and saluted for the US national anthem.Trump said before kick-off that he thought superstar Lionel Messi would give Argentina the edge, while adding that Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei, who was not attending out of superstition, was a "friend of mine. He's done a terrific job".The US leader was seated near Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney - relations with both of whom are not so friendly.Trump had short exchanges with the leaders of the tournament's co-hosts.Trump threatened Canada with tariffs on Friday after smoke from raging wildfires drifted over the northeastern United States and raised concerns about air quality for the World Cup final.Mexico's ties with Washington meanwhile remain tense over Trump's large-scale immigration crackdown and threats of military action against drug traffickers.Trump also shook hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez despite Trump recently lashing out at Madrid for failing to help with the Iran war and falling short on NATO spending.
