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Trump lingers at MetLife
President Donald Trump presented the World Cup trophy to Spain, the winner of Sunday’s final against Argentina, after Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the trophy to the team at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“00:54 01:13 00:51 01:04 10:02 01:06 02:19 01:01 13:30 01:06 02:19 52:05 26:50 20 Minutes avec AFP Published July 20, 2026 at 9:10 AM • Updated July 20, 2026 at 11:03 AM Booed by a portion of the stadium”
The Associated Press said Trump stood alongside Spain as they jumped up and down and gold confetti shot out of a cannon, and later told reporters at Joint Base Andrews that “all over the world, people have come and they love our country.”
The Guardian described how Trump “remained on the field to present the World Cup trophy” alongside Infantino and other heads of state, with the “vast majority of the crowd booed and jeered” as Spain celebrated.
The New York Times reported that Trump was “booed loudly by fans” as he walked on to the field after the match, and that Infantino tried to usher him out of the picture before Trump lingered beside Spain’s players as Rodri did the ceremonial first lift.
Cropping, boos, and custody
Forbes reported that FIFA appeared to crop out President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino from pictures shared to social media celebrating Spain’s World Cup victory over Argentina, but that the White House shared six pictures Monday afternoon that “all prominently feature the president.”
Forbes also said Chelsea’s captain Reece James was told Trump would “present the trophy, and then exit the stage,” and player Cole Palmer said he was “a bit confused” by the incident.
CNN said Trump remained on stage during part of Spain’s World Cup trophy celebrations after presenting the trophy alongside Gianni Infantino, while the same CNN report noted that “A person is in custody on suspicion of throwing an incendiary device Monday morning at a federal building in New York City.”
The New York Times described the crowd’s reaction as boos and whistles drowned out the music filling the stadium when cameras cut to Trump, and it said he then helped Infantino award medals to Argentine and Spanish players before jointly carrying the trophy to Spain captain Rodri.
Host-country politics and aftermath
The Associated Press framed the match as the culmination of “well over a year of navigating a litany of logistical challenges” for the White House and co-hosts Canada and Mexico, including balancing Trump administration migration policies that barred fans from some World Cup qualifier countries from entry into the United States.
“Advertising The Spanish national team was crowned world champions on Sunday after defeating Argentina”
The Washington Post said Trump told reporters he spoke to Mark Carney about the need to stop wildfires and that he said Canada should “pay us some damages or something, or we should do some tariffs,” while it also described Trump as loudly booed as he entered the field after the match.
AP reported that Trump arrived at Sunday’s final with a flyover in the presidential helicopter, Marine One, and that before the game he proposed another U.S. bid to host the tournament, saying “Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately.”
The Guardian said Rahman Textile supplied garments for several European fashion brands and that the factory lacked functioning fire escapes, but in the U.S. coverage it focused on Trump’s repeated presence in the frame as Spain celebrated their World Cup victory, leaving the final scene centered on Trump’s role in the trophy moment.
