Donald Trump ignores FIFA president’s call to leave the stage as he joins Spain’s World Cup final trophy lift in awkward moment

US President Donald Trump took to the stage at MetLife Stadium on Sunday as he clumsily occupied Spain’s iconic trophy elevator at the end of the FIFA World Cup final.

The European team claimed their second World Cup title by beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in extra time thanks to striker Ferran Torres’ late strike.

Shortly after the full-time whistle, the US President walked onto the field, where he was loudly booed by the crowd, before taking to the stage with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players before formally welcoming the Spanish players onto the stage to lift the World Cup trophy.

The US President presented this prestigious title to Spanish captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in lifting the title at East Rutherford.

As he did when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly next to the Spain team as they held up the trophy and celebrated wildly.

The president, together with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, presented the trophy to Spaniard Rodri

Infantino appeared to have tried to push Trump away, but the President stayed

Apparently, as Spain were about to lift the cup, Infantino tried to pull Trump away from the players, but the President remained.

He stood next to the team, clapping and grinning as confetti cannons exploded at MetLife Stadium, while Infantino laughed at Trump’s awkward cameo.

An estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuned in to watch the showpiece finale of the summer tournament, where Trump and Infantino were once again in the spotlight.

Loud boos erupted from the stands when Infantino and Trump took the field, the fans no doubt making their feelings about the duo clear.

Ahead of the official trophy lifting, Trump handed out silver medals to Argentinian players, including Lionel Messi, after their heartbreaking defeat in New Jersey.

Fans noted that there was an Argentinian star – Tottenham defender Cristian Romero. Completely ignored the president Receiving his medal from Infantino.

In the video that spread rapidly on social mediaThe Argentinian was seen accepting his silverware from the FIFA president before walking past Trump on stage.

Meanwhile, Trump also presented three awards to Spain’s stars; Including Young Player of the Tournament, Golden Glove and Golden Ball, won by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively.

Trump and Infantino stood on stage in New Jersey as golden confetti rained down around them

US President brings Spain’s stars to the stage before presenting prestigious title

The president also handed out silver medals to Lionel Messi and Argentina after the defeat.

Trump took a photo presenting Lamine Yamal with his medal after the 1-0 win at MetLife Stadium

Argentinian defender Cristian Romero ignored Trump as he walked onto the stage

There was a degree of irony in Trump presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy after he had previously launched a scathing attack on the country for not contributing enough money to NATO at the UN summit in early July.

‘Spain is a terrible partner of NATO. They disagree. They don’t pay. I have nothing to do with Spain. “Please stop all trade with Spain, including visits,” he said. ‘Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.’

Later, while returning to the United States on Air Force One, Trump said Spain was trying to improve the situation with him.

‘I had problems and still have them. But Spain, they came all the way back today. “Spain was very generous today,” he said.

‘They complied with numerous requests for payment and if we hadn’t we wouldn’t even have spoken to them.’

Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife, Melania, were seen protesting in the packed suite at MetLife Stadium alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Trump also shook hands with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with Infantino standing next to them.

Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Argentinian President Javier Milei is watching the match from his home due to ‘superstition’. New York Timereported.

Trump got cozy with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a private suite in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon

In the private suite, Infantino took photos with the president’s son Eric Trump, his wife Lara and their children.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania joined a large crowd at MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup final match on Sunday afternoon

The Commander-in-Chief also waved to the crowd from behind the glass.

In the private suite, Infantino took photos with the president’s son Eric Trump, his wife Lara and their children. Barron Trump also made it to the big game.

Before the match, Trump told Fox News correspondent Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet that “it’s hard to bet against Messi,” referring to Argentina’s 39-year-old star.

But in the end, it didn’t sit well with the veteran football star as he and Argentina came up short in their clash against European side Spain in East Rutherford.

The fate of the match was decided by Spanish star Ferran Torres’ fierce close-range strike in the 106th minute, after a 0-0 draw at the end of normal time.

However, when the final whistle blew, ugly scenes ensued; Disappointed Argentine stars directed their anger at the Spanish players after the defeat.

After the whistle, Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground.

Argentinian Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the body while passing by, while Thiago Almada was also involved in the incident.

Lionel Messi’s bid for back-to-back World Cup titles collapses after defeat to Spain

Many stars clashed after Spain beat Argentina 1-0, but the South Americans started it

Argentinian Leandro Paredes received a red card after being whistled for violence against Spain.

Micah Richards said of his behavior on the BBC: ‘This is disgraceful. They were on top every time.

‘It’s not good to see these things after the match has been played, it’s a shame to be honest. Paredes is better than this. ‘We all know what it’s like to lose a game but that’s not good enough.’

Argentina had only two shots throughout the game, the first of which came in the 117th minute.

In comparison, they committed 24 fouls; But Spain’s hands were not clean, as they had committed 21 fouls.

Elsewhere in the day, World Cup fans described FIFA’s controversial first World Cup halftime show starring Madonna and Justin Bieber on Sunday as a ‘disaster’.

The futuristic episode began with 67-year-old Madonna singing her 2000 hit Music, accompanied by dazzling Brazilian World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho.

The toned music legend wowed dressed head-to-toe in Saint Laurent, paired with a pink satin teddy coat and corset, mini shorts and lace-up boots and socks. As he embraces the football icons before taking him to the stadium.

The unlikely trio then posed on the grass and smiled at the crowd.

Madonna and Justin Bieber’s World Cup halftime show divided fans

Shakira shows off her toned body while singing Dai Dai with Burna Boy

Justin Bieber had a completely different impact on the crowd when he took the stage with just a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song “Everything Hallelujah” and stunned his fans.

Bieber, 32, made a very different impression on the crowd when he came out with nothing but a guitar in hand to sing a World Cup-themed version of his song “Everything’s Hallelujah.”

The singer was awkwardly fielded by Jason Sudeikis, playing his manager’s alter-ego, Ted Lasso.

The star looked relaxed as he walked onto the pitch before performing his hit and the final line, ‘It’s the World Cup, Hallelujah’, leaving fans stunned by the song choice.

Shakira returned to the World Cup stage, flaunting her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined dress, to perform her hit song Dai Dai alongside Burna Boy, while K-pop sensation BTS kept the crowd entertained with Dynamite.

In addition to the halftime show, the World Cup final also featured a closing ceremony with performances and appearances by Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, the impressive IShowSpeed, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini.