MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Sunday, July 19th 2026 - 23:05 UTC
The episode fits into the close relationship between Trump and Infantino, which has run through much of the tournament
US President Donald Trump was one of the central figures off the pitch at the 2026 World Cup final, co-hosting alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino the trophy presentation to Spain, champions after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Trump, who watched the match from the VIP box with his wife, Melania, also held the original trophy before kickoff, in images that circulated widely on social media.
Trump's role in the ceremony marked a change from the tournament's two previous editions. At Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, Infantino presented the trophy alone. FIFA had announced before the final that the two would do so jointly. The handover by the host country's head of state is, however, a practice with historical precedent at the World Cup: Queen Elizabeth II presented the trophy to England captain Bobby Moore in 1966, and King Juan Carlos I did so with Italy's Dino Zoff in 1982.
