Donald Trump starred in a much-discussed moment during the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup before the champion was determined. The President of the United States received the World Cup trophy in the VIP box at MetLife Stadium and couldn't hide his satisfaction, a scene that quickly went viral on social media.
The president attended the match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this Sunday, after arriving at the stadium aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One.
During the meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the coveted World Cup trophy to him. Trump held it in his hands and smiled as the cameras captured the moment from various angles.
"President Trump just received the FIFA trophy at MetLife Stadium, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino by his side," wrote journalist Eric Daugherty while sharing the video of the moment.
Just before, journalist Nick Sortor revealed another detail about the president's arrival at the stadium. He shared on social media platform X that Trump was impressed while flying over the completely full MetLife.
"All I could say was 'WOW' over and over again," Sortor stated.
Trump, possibly in charge of presenting the trophy
The scene heightened expectations for the awards ceremony, as Trump was scheduled to participate, alongside Infantino, in the presentation of the trophy to the world champion.
Weeks before the final, the FIFA president himself had revealed that both would share that moment.
"We will be alongside the president enjoying the final and presenting the trophy to the winner, of course, together," declared Infantino.
In the box of honor, there were also First Lady Melania Trump; King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain; the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez; the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum; and the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney.
The Argentine president, Javier Milei, was notably absent. According to various reports, he chose to stay in Buenos Aires due to superstition and watched the match from the presidential residence in Olivos, where he had viewed all of the previous encounters of the Albiceleste.
A close relationship with Infantino
The image of Trump holding the trophy also recalled an episode that took place in August 2025, when Gianni Infantino visited the White House and showed him the World Cup. On that occasion, the president joked by asking, "Can I keep it?".
The day before the final, both met again during an official reception held at Trump Tower in Manhattan, where Infantino publicly thanked the U.S. administration for its support in organizing the tournament.
"This World Cup would not have been such an incredible success without you," affirmed the FIFA official.
Trump, for his part, acknowledged that he had underestimated the popularity of soccer in the United States.
"I said, 'That's crazy, we're not a soccer country!' and it turns out we are a soccer country," he commented.
Before the start of the final, the president also revealed in an interview with Fox Sports who his sentimental favorite for the match was: "It's hard to bet against Messi. He's great."
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