Donald Trump was left on the podium as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy, with the US president refusing to leave the stand
Donald Trump refused to vacate the podium after presenting the World Cup trophy to tournament winners Spain.
The Spanish side overcame the defending champions in extra time, with Ferran Torres netting the opening goal after Argentina were reduced to ten men following Enzo Fernandez’s dismissal in the 93rd minute.
After their triumph, Spain’s players stepped up to the podium individually to collect their medals before US President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the trophy to the victors.
Yet as Trump shook players’ hands and punched the air in celebration, he commandeered the moment entirely, declining to step down from the stage.
Infantino attempted to usher a seemingly disorientated Trump away from the squad, as he continued to linger to the right of the team, overshadowing their moment of glory.
The scenes came as little surprise, given that the US president had already flouted protocol during the Club World Cup celebrations in 2025.
Last July, he left players baffled by remaining alongside the Chelsea squad as they lifted the trophy at the MetLife Stadium.
Footage from last summer’s celebrations showed officials desperately attempting to coax Trump away, with reports suggesting that calls to do so came from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was positioned beside him at one point.
In much the same fashion this year, Infantino once again found himself tasked with attempting to shepherd Trump away from the victorious side so they could lift the trophy in peace.
Infantino dashes across in front of the squad before steering the president towards the left-hand exit, yet Trump holds his position as Spain lift the trophy aloft.
Upon making his way onto the pitch for the presentation ceremony, Trump was met with a chorus of loud boos from supporters, marking the second occasion during the final that he had been jeered.
Earlier in the match, cameras had cut to the president watching proceedings alongside Infantino in a private suite, and as he acknowledged the crowd with a wave, whistles and boos rang out around the stadium.
He courted further controversy when footage later emerged of him handling the World Cup trophy in the suite during the first half.
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