Trump lingers awkwardly long after giving World Cup trophy to Spain
The Spanish players, who defeated Argentina 1-0 in Sunday’s final, looked ready to explode as they waited for team captain Rodri to lift the World Cup trophy into the air.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino looked a little worried as he wanted the new champions to have their moment but also did not want to offend a good friend of his, one of the strongest men in the world.
And President Trump seemed pretty oblivious as he lingered onstage for an odd amount of time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., following his awards presentation.
Trump watched the championship game from a luxury lodge along with Infantino and First Lady Melania Trump and many others. He was booed by the crowd during the national anthems and when he walked onto the field with Infantino for the awards ceremony after the game.
After presenting silver medals to the Argentine players and gold medals to the Spanish, Trump and Infantino carried the World Cup trophy across the stage together. Golden Ball winner awarded to RodriHe was standing in front of his teammates waiting for their big moment.
The FIFA and US presidents shook hands with Rodri, but only one quickly stepped aside. When Trump walked around to shake hands and talk with midfielder Gavi, Rodri put his hand on the president’s shoulder and was seen gently nudging him across the stage away from the group.
Trump shook hands and spoke to several other players as he walked away, then stopped and stood directly next to the group of players. Infantino raced across the stage and appeared to try to push Trump out of frame.
But Trump stayed put, clapping and smiling until Rodri tossed the trophy into the air and launched golden confetti from cannons behind them to officially kick off the celebration. Trump then walked away to join Infantino, leaving La Roja’s players to their own devices to celebrate.
It could have been much worse… like last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup final, also held at MetLife Stadium. Trump accompanied Infantino onstage to present the trophy to Chelsea but did not accompany him offstage immediately following the presentation.
Instead, Trump remained front and center among the Chelsea players; which added to the visible confusion of some. Reece stood right next to James, clapping and smiling as the team captain lifted the trophy in victory and a massive celebration erupted around him.
As the president of one of the three countries that will host the 2026 World Cup (along with Canada and Mexico), Trump’s presence is of great importance. In December, Infantino presented Trump with the first FIFA Peace Prize in the final draw of the tournament in December.
Earlier this month, Trump called on Infantino to call on FIFA to reconsider the red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun, which would have prevented the star player from taking part in the round of 16 against Belgium (the penalty was cancelled, causing international uproar, but the US still lost the match 4-1).
“You don’t need people to compliment you, Mr. President,” Infantino said Friday during a reception the president hosted at Trump Tower in Manhattan, “but this World Cup wouldn’t be such an incredible success without you.”
