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

By JAMES COHEN, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 23:44, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 02:54, 20 July 2026 US President Donald Trump took center stage at MetLife Stadium on Sunday as he awkwardly invaded Spain's iconic trophy lift at the end of the FIFA World Cup final.  The European outfit clinched their second World Cup title after beating Lionel Messi's Argentina 1-0 in extra time, following a late strike from forward Ferran Torres. Shortly after the full-time whistle, the US President made his way down to the field, where he was loudly booed by the crowd before making his way onto the stage alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players, before officially welcoming Spain's players up to the stage to lift the World Cup trophy. The US President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft in East Rutherford. Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly. Donald Trump took center stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon The President, along with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, presented the trophy to Spain's Rodri It appeared as though Infantino attempted to usher Trump away - but the President remained It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players - though the President remained.  He stood to the side of the squad as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump's awkward cameo. There were an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament's showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again.  Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the duo undoubtedly clear.  Prior to the official trophy lift, Trump also handed out silver medals to Argentina's players - including Lionel Messi - after their heartbreaking defeat in New Jersey.  Fans noted that one Argentina star - Tottenham defender Cristian Romero - completely ignored the President as he collected his medal from Infantino.  In a video which swiftly went viral on social media, the Argentinian could be seen receiving his silverware from the FIFA chief before waltzing past Trump on stage.  Meanwhile, Trump also presented a trio of awards to Spain's stars; including the Young Player of the Tournament, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball - which were claimed by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively. Trump and Infantino stood on stage as golden confetti rained down around them in New Jersey The US President welcomed Spain's stars onto the stage before presenting the prestigious title The President also handed out silver medals to Lionel Messi and Argentina after their loss Trump pictured presenting Lamine Yamal with his medal after the 1-0 win at MetLife Stadium Argentina defender Cristian Romero appeared to ignore Trump as he walked on stage There was a degree of irony in regards to Trump presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy, after previously launching a stinging attack on the country at a UN summit earlier in July for not contributing enough money to NATO.  'Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate. They don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits,' he said. 'Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.' Then, on his way back to the United States on Air Force One, Trump said Spain had tried to improve their standings with him. 'I did have issues, and ​I still do. But Spain, they came back all the way today. Spain was very generous today,' he said. 'They honoured a request for lots of payments, and if they didn't, we wouldn't have even ⁠talked to them.' Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife Melania were seen taking in the action inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite - alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum. Trump also shook hands with Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them. Spain's Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, is watching the game from home due to 'superstition,' The New York Times reported.  Trump cozied up to FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the private suite on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the president's son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania joined the massive crowd at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the 2026 World Cup final match  The commander-in-chief also waved at the crowd from behind the glass.  Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the president's son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children. Barron Trump also showed up for the big game. Ahead of the match, Trump told Fox News' Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet that 'it's hard to bet against Messi,' speaking of Argentina's 39-year-old star. However, in the end, it wasn't to be for the veteran soccer star after he and Argentina came up short in their battle against European outfit Spain in East Rutherford.  The match was decided by a ferocious, close-range strike from Spanish star Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, after a 0-0 stalemate at the end of regulation time.  However, there were ugly scenes once the full-time whistle blew - with a number of frustrated Argentina stars taking out their anger on Spain's players after their loss. After the whistle, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground.  Argentina's Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he was running by, while Thiago Almada was involved, too.  Lionel Messi's bid for back-to-back World Cup titles ended in failure after their loss to Spain Several stars clashed after Spain's 1-0 win over Argentina - but the South Americans started it Argentina's Leandro Paredes was sent off after the whistle for getting violent with Spain  Micah Richards said of their behaviour on the BBC: 'It's embarrassing. They were on the cusp every single time.  'Seeing that sort of stuff after the game was played, it's not good, it's embarrassing to be honest. Paredes is better than that. We all know what it's like to lose a game but this is not good enough.' Argentina only had two shots in the entire match, and the first of those only came in the 117th minute.  By contrast, they committed 24 fouls - though Spain didn't have clean hands themselves, as they gave away 21.  Elsewhere on the day, World Cup fans branded FIFA's controversial first-ever World Cup halftime show starring Madonna and Justin Bieber a 'disaster' on Sunday. The futuristic segment began with Madonna, 67, singing her 2000 hit Music, accompanied by giddy Brazilian World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho.  The toned music legend was dressed head-to-toe in Saint Laurent, wowing in a pink satin teddy jacket and corset, mini shorts and lace-up boots, paired with stockings as she embraced the soccer icons, before they drove her out into the stadium. The unlikely trio then posed up on the grass and smiled at the crowds.  Madonna and Justin Bieber's performances during the World Cup halftime show divided fans Shakira showed off her toned frame as she performed her hit Dai Dai with Burna Boy  Justin Bieber made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with only a guitar to sing a World Cup-themed version of his song Everything Hallelujah - leaving fans baffled Bieber, 32, made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with nothing but a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song, Everything Hallelujah. The singer was bizarrely subbed onto the pitch by Jason Sudeikis, playing his manager alter-ego Ted Lasso.  The star looked relaxed as he casually walked onto the pitch before belting out his hit track, adding the final line, 'it's the World Cup, Hallelujah' - with fans left baffled by his song choice.  Shakira returned to the World Cup stage as she flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to perform her hit Dai Dai, with Burna Boy, while K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite. As well as a halftime show, the World Cup final also included a closing ceremony that featured performances and appearances from Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, influencer IShowSpeed, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini.  Your browser does not support iframes.