MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Trump takes center stage at the World Cup final, presenting Spain's trophy and holding it beforehand

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.

Trump entregando la Copa del Mundial de Futbol del 2026 a la selección española. pic.twitter.com/u0IoU3LK6a

— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) July 19, 2026

Before the match, the trophy was brought up to the presidential box, where Trump took it and patted it before returning it to the area set aside for the ceremony. The scene drew attention for taking place outside the official on-field act, in which the cup is usually kept under guard until its presentation to the champions. While players from both teams walked past the trophy without touching it, following a football tradition, the president approached it.

The episode fits into the close relationship between Trump and Infantino, which has run through much of the tournament. During an earlier White House visit, Infantino had already let Trump hold the cup and told him the trophy is “for winners.” FIFA also opened an office in Trump Tower in New York, and at the 2025 Club World Cup final, played at the same stadium, Trump remained at the center of champions Chelsea's photograph.

The final closed a World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, whose decisive stages were played on US soil and in which Trump's role was a recurring feature, from the build-up to the closing ceremony. The tournament also introduced other US-inspired novelties, such as a halftime show and the award of championship rings to the winning team. Spain won their second world title, sixteen years after the one achieved in South Africa in 2010.