US President Donald Trump brushed off FIFA president Gianni Infantino's efforts to gently guide him off stage after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final Sunday, lingering alongside the celebrating team and treating the players to his trademark "Trump dance".
Issued on: 20/07/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Cover image: Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri receives the trophy from US President Donald Trump after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. © Franck Fife, AFP
00:30
US President Donald Trump grabbed a share of the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday, staying on stage with winners Spain as they lifted the trophy after beating Argentina.
Despite being met by resounding boos as he walked on to the pitch with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump basked in the attention at the end of a tournament he has called "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world".
Trump briefly lingered on stage as Infantino tried to lead him away while the Spanish team held the trophy aloft in celebration.
The 80-year-old US leader even did a quick version of his trademark "Trump dance" in front of the Spanish players.
00:30
US President Donald Trump grabbed a share of the spotlight at the World Cup final on Sunday, staying on stage with winners Spain as they lifted the trophy after beating Argentina.
Despite being met by resounding boos as he walked on to the pitch with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump basked in the attention at the end of a tournament he has called "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world".
Trump briefly lingered on stage as Infantino tried to lead him away while the Spanish team held the trophy aloft in celebration.
The 80-year-old US leader even did a quick version of his trademark "Trump dance" in front of the Spanish players.
Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri lifts the trophy with his teammates, flanked by US President Donald Trump (2R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R), after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. © Odd Andersen, AFP
Trump had arrived on his Marine One helicopter at the New York-New Jersey stadium to watch Spain and Argentina battle it out for the trophy.
During the game, he sat next to Infantino and First Lady Melania Trump, and stood and saluted for the US national anthem.
Trump said before kick-off that he thought superstar Lionel Messi would give Argentina the edge and talked about his own close ties with Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei.
But he told reporters afterward that he "wasn't sad" Argentina had lost.
"I would say Spain played better, really," Trump said.
The game also provided a chance for some diplomacy.
Trump said he had spoken to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – whose country co-hosted the tournament with the United States and Mexico – about wildfires that have sent smoke over the US northeast.
The US leader said he had a "good relationship" with Carney "but maybe they should pay us some damages or something, or we should do some tariffs". The smoke had at one point threatened to disrupt the final.
Trump had arrived on his Marine One helicopter at the New York-New Jersey stadium to watch Spain and Argentina battle it out for the trophy.
During the game, he sat next to Infantino and First Lady Melania Trump, and stood and saluted for the US national anthem.
Trump said before kick-off that he thought superstar Lionel Messi would give Argentina the edge and talked about his own close ties with Argentina's right-wing President Javier Milei.
But he told reporters afterward that he "wasn't sad" Argentina had lost.
"I would say Spain played better, really," Trump said.
The game also provided a chance for some diplomacy.
Trump said he had spoken to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – whose country co-hosted the tournament with the United States and Mexico – about wildfires that have sent smoke over the US northeast.
The US leader said he had a "good relationship" with Carney "but maybe they should pay us some damages or something, or we should do some tariffs". The smoke had at one point threatened to disrupt the final.
During the final match, US President Donald Trump could be seen having brief exchanges with the leaders of the World Cup tournament's co-hosts, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney © Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
Trump said he also spoke to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, insisting there was "no tension" despite recently lashing out at Madrid for failing to help with the Iran war and falling short on NATO spending.
Trump said he also spoke to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, insisting there was "no tension" despite recently lashing out at Madrid for failing to help with the Iran war and falling short on NATO spending.
'It's been amazing'
Trump co-presented the trophy to Spain alongside Infantino.
The match is the first World Cup fixture that Trump has attended, in an unusual move for a leader who relishes public events.
Two US Marine Corps aircraft, with one of the helicopters believed to be carrying U.S. President Trump, fly above the stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. © Paul ELLIS / AFP
But it is far from his first intervention in the tournament.
Less than two weeks ago, Trump infamously phoned Infantino to ask FIFA to suspend a red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun so he could play in a last-16 match against Belgium.
Despite the ensuing controversy over fairness and influence, Trump has hailed the 2026 tournament as the best ever.
"This has been the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world. It's been amazing," Trump told a FIFA reception with Infantino at Trump Tower in New York on Friday.
Trump said the 104 games had also helped further popularise a sport in the United States.
"It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it's going to remain," added Trump, who said his son Barron, 20, was a huge fan of the game.
Trump has hitched his political brand to the World Cup since returning in January 2025 to the Oval Office, where he has hosted Infantino on multiple occasions.
But the run-up to the tournament also hit hiccups from Trump's immigration policies, which saw some fans face visa issues.
At the FIFA Club World Cup championship at the same New Jersey stadium last year, winners Chelsea were left confused when Trump stayed on the podium while they danced after he handed them the trophy.
Trump later claimed he had been allowed to keep the trophy itself in the Oval Office – but FIFA said the version on display was actually a replica.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
But it is far from his first intervention in the tournament.
Less than two weeks ago, Trump infamously phoned Infantino to ask FIFA to suspend a red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun so he could play in a last-16 match against Belgium.
Despite the ensuing controversy over fairness and influence, Trump has hailed the 2026 tournament as the best ever.
"This has been the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world. It's been amazing," Trump told a FIFA reception with Infantino at Trump Tower in New York on Friday.
Trump said the 104 games had also helped further popularise a sport in the United States.
"It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it's going to remain," added Trump, who said his son Barron, 20, was a huge fan of the game.
Trump has hitched his political brand to the World Cup since returning in January 2025 to the Oval Office, where he has hosted Infantino on multiple occasions.
But the run-up to the tournament also hit hiccups from Trump's immigration policies, which saw some fans face visa issues.
At the FIFA Club World Cup championship at the same New Jersey stadium last year, winners Chelsea were left confused when Trump stayed on the podium while they danced after he handed them the trophy.
Trump later claimed he had been allowed to keep the trophy itself in the Oval Office – but FIFA said the version on display was actually a replica.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Will football ever be the same? The legacy of a star-spangled World Cup
Argentina Fans
REUTERS - Sahiba Chawdhary
Issued on: 16/07/2026 -
Play (43:31 min)From the show
Ruben SLAGTERJournalist & Co-author, 'Football Investigation'
Ronan EVAINExecutive Director at Football Supporters Europe
David WEBBERSenior Lecturer in Sports Business and Politics, UCFB
Issued on: 16/07/2026 -
Play (43:31 min)From the show
After a stunning performance in Argentina’s come-from-behind win against England, 39-year-old Lionel Messi secured the defending World Cup champions their second final in a row – much to the delight of organizers. Taking note of Messi’s star power, the US bent the rules to include him on the Inter Miami side in the Club World Cup last year. In this edition we ask: what legacy will there be for the biggest World Cup ever, with its three countries, 64 teams and record-smashing ticket pricing?
What will the world remember from World Cup 2026? Will it be the on-field drama or the American-style packaging of the spectacle: commercial breaks disguised as water breaks, TV cutaways to celebrities during the action and red cards overturned to please the host country's leader? What will the final bring? Will US President Donald Trump be flanked by his Argentinian counterpart and far-right ally Javier Milei? Will they pose with Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of a left-led Spain Trump has threatened to cut ties with?
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Riham Mahir, Andrew Hilliar.
OUR GUESTS
What will the world remember from World Cup 2026? Will it be the on-field drama or the American-style packaging of the spectacle: commercial breaks disguised as water breaks, TV cutaways to celebrities during the action and red cards overturned to please the host country's leader? What will the final bring? Will US President Donald Trump be flanked by his Argentinian counterpart and far-right ally Javier Milei? Will they pose with Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of a left-led Spain Trump has threatened to cut ties with?
Produced by François Picard, Rebecca Gnignati, Juliette Laffont, Ilayda Habip, Riham Mahir, Andrew Hilliar.
OUR GUESTS
Kethevane GORJESTANIFRANCE 24 International Affairs Editor; Former Washington correspondent
Ruben SLAGTERJournalist & Co-author, 'Football Investigation'
Ronan EVAINExecutive Director at Football Supporters Europe
David WEBBERSenior Lecturer in Sports Business and Politics, UCFB
Spain won the World Cup, but Donald Trump 'cast a shadow'
Trump insisted that the tournament has boosted the US's international reputation. "All over the world, people have come and they love our country," he told reporters.
Was Balogun call a mistake for Trump?
The US midterm elections are set for November 3 and, with the war in Iran ongoing, Trump's approval rating is below 40%. Though a "shakedown" of a global organization such as FIFA may have an appeal with a base he's already won over, Karim Zidan told DW that the Balogun intervention was a political misstep for Trump.
"I think that, in boasting about this when the United States men's national team gave an opportunity for him to rally behind a team that seemed to be unifying Americans, he managed to find a way to taint it, and those who dislike him hated him just that little bit more," Zidan, an investigative journalist who has long covered Trump's use of sports in his politics, said.
Such unprecedented and direct political intervention in a footballing decision drew scorn and fury from most of the rest of the world — with politicians, football federations, fans and coaches all piling on to criticize. But that won't bother Trump, Boykoff said.
"Based on his actions, Trump does not appear to care much about what the rest of the world thinks of him. His anti-immigration policies stained the World Cup and undercut FIFA's slogan that 'Football Unites the World.' Trump used the tournament to further fracture the world while stoking his base's worst instincts ahead of the midterm elections," he said.
Sports-shaping as US strategy
The Balogun incident was Trump's first real foray into the tournament and came over three weeks after it had begun. Given how present he was in the buildup, that came as a surprise to some. But Zidan said the geopolitical situation had been keeping him busy, while the 250th US independence day also occupied Trump's time during the tournament.
"Whenever he has shown up at a sports event that is not a UFC event, he's received resounding boos. It's not the massive warm welcome he is used to receiving at the UFC," said Zidan, whose latest book, "The Ultimate Strongmen," focuses on Trump's relationship with the UFC.
"That's why he shows up so often there, why he's hosted a UFC event at the White House. He understands that is his perfect audience and his safe space, and, no matter how poorly he's performing and no matter what he's doing in the world, no matter if there's a war going on, he will be welcomed."
Though FIFA and its president rolled out the red carpet for Trump and the 2026 World Cup made more profit than any tournament before, it is the US voters, not the executive bodies of football organizations, whom Trump must impress now. Whichever way the midterms go, it's unlikely he'll be ushered off the political stage anytime soon.
Edited by: Milan Gagnon
Matt Pearson Reporter and editor@thisismpearson
DW
July 20, 2026
Though Donald Trump mostly stayed clear of stadiums, the World Cup may influence the US midterm elections. DW looks at the political implications of "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world."
Donald Trump was reluctant to leave the limelight at the World Cup final
Though Donald Trump mostly stayed clear of stadiums, the World Cup may influence the US midterm elections. DW looks at the political implications of "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world."
Image: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP
Rodri, like anyone who has ever played football, had dreamed of this moment. The Spain captain held the World Cup in his hands, surrounded by jubilant teammates. But, before he could lift the trophy, he had to find a way to politely usher the world's most powerful man off the stage.
He didn't quite succeed. In the end, it required FIFA President Gianni Infantino to jog in front of the players to try and move Donald Trump on. Still the US president lingered next to Barcelona midfielder Pedri, bathing in the adulation he had been denied when walking on to boos with Infantino moments earlier. Trump had overstayed his welcome in similar fashion at the Club World Cup last year.
Though Sunday's final, in which Spain beat Argentina 1-0, was the first match of the tournament that Trump attended, he declared it "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world" and was a constant presence even in his absence.
"Trump cast a shadow over the entire tournament, weaponizing it for domestic political purposes, regardless of whether he showed up at matches in person," Jules Boykoff, a professor in the Politics and Government Department at Pacific University in the US state of Oregon, told DW.
Rodri, like anyone who has ever played football, had dreamed of this moment. The Spain captain held the World Cup in his hands, surrounded by jubilant teammates. But, before he could lift the trophy, he had to find a way to politely usher the world's most powerful man off the stage.
He didn't quite succeed. In the end, it required FIFA President Gianni Infantino to jog in front of the players to try and move Donald Trump on. Still the US president lingered next to Barcelona midfielder Pedri, bathing in the adulation he had been denied when walking on to boos with Infantino moments earlier. Trump had overstayed his welcome in similar fashion at the Club World Cup last year.
Though Sunday's final, in which Spain beat Argentina 1-0, was the first match of the tournament that Trump attended, he declared it "the most successful sporting event maybe in the history of the world" and was a constant presence even in his absence.
"Trump cast a shadow over the entire tournament, weaponizing it for domestic political purposes, regardless of whether he showed up at matches in person," Jules Boykoff, a professor in the Politics and Government Department at Pacific University in the US state of Oregon, told DW.
Trump's 'notorious' intervention
Trump administration policies denied entry to the United States for a Somali FIFA referee, forced Iran to train in Mexico and travel to games in Los Angeles and Seattle, and barred fans from around the world from attending matches. On top of all that, Boykoff said, Trump's knockout-stage phone call to FIFA "will most assuredly go down as one of the most notorious political interventions in World Cup history."
Though Trump' successfully lobbied to overturn the red card suspension of star striker Folarin Balogun, the strategy backfired on the field, with the US losing its last-16 match against a fired-up Belgium 4-1. "I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy," Balogun said. "I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it was something that's so unique."
Boykoff said the sporting implications would not have been at the forefront of Trump's mind. "Intervening in the red card situation allowed him to deliver the message to his political base that he could get international bodies like FIFA to bend to his will," said Boykoff, who represented the US at the youth level as a player. "Most of Trump's actions during the World Cup should be read as efforts to influence a domestic political audience ahead of a key midterm election, not as an attempt to convince an international audience that he's some great guy."
Trump administration policies denied entry to the United States for a Somali FIFA referee, forced Iran to train in Mexico and travel to games in Los Angeles and Seattle, and barred fans from around the world from attending matches. On top of all that, Boykoff said, Trump's knockout-stage phone call to FIFA "will most assuredly go down as one of the most notorious political interventions in World Cup history."
Though Trump' successfully lobbied to overturn the red card suspension of star striker Folarin Balogun, the strategy backfired on the field, with the US losing its last-16 match against a fired-up Belgium 4-1. "I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy," Balogun said. "I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves because it was something that's so unique."
Boykoff said the sporting implications would not have been at the forefront of Trump's mind. "Intervening in the red card situation allowed him to deliver the message to his political base that he could get international bodies like FIFA to bend to his will," said Boykoff, who represented the US at the youth level as a player. "Most of Trump's actions during the World Cup should be read as efforts to influence a domestic political audience ahead of a key midterm election, not as an attempt to convince an international audience that he's some great guy."
Trump insisted that the tournament has boosted the US's international reputation. "All over the world, people have come and they love our country," he told reporters.
Was Balogun call a mistake for Trump?
The US midterm elections are set for November 3 and, with the war in Iran ongoing, Trump's approval rating is below 40%. Though a "shakedown" of a global organization such as FIFA may have an appeal with a base he's already won over, Karim Zidan told DW that the Balogun intervention was a political misstep for Trump.
"I think that, in boasting about this when the United States men's national team gave an opportunity for him to rally behind a team that seemed to be unifying Americans, he managed to find a way to taint it, and those who dislike him hated him just that little bit more," Zidan, an investigative journalist who has long covered Trump's use of sports in his politics, said.
Such unprecedented and direct political intervention in a footballing decision drew scorn and fury from most of the rest of the world — with politicians, football federations, fans and coaches all piling on to criticize. But that won't bother Trump, Boykoff said.
"Based on his actions, Trump does not appear to care much about what the rest of the world thinks of him. His anti-immigration policies stained the World Cup and undercut FIFA's slogan that 'Football Unites the World.' Trump used the tournament to further fracture the world while stoking his base's worst instincts ahead of the midterm elections," he said.
Sports-shaping as US strategy
The Balogun incident was Trump's first real foray into the tournament and came over three weeks after it had begun. Given how present he was in the buildup, that came as a surprise to some. But Zidan said the geopolitical situation had been keeping him busy, while the 250th US independence day also occupied Trump's time during the tournament.
Trump and Gianni Infantino have become firm friends in recent years
Image: Dylan Martinez/REUTERS
"All he's really interested in is making this about himself or reaping any sort of personal prestige from an event," Zidan said. "So I'm not really surprised at all that he wasn't very present at standard World Cup games."
Despite his apparent lack of interest, Trump made a play for future World Cups immediately after the 2026 tournament ended. "I had a great idea for Gianni: You have to do two countries. Announce us again next time and then announce another country after that. It'll take out some of the anger and the shock," he told Fox Sports. "Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately."
The earliest the US could host the men's World Cup again is 2038, but Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics in 2028, with Trump still in power ahead of the presidential election that November. The US is hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics in in Salt Lake City and is likely to win the Women's World Cup for 2031.
UFC a safe sporting haven for Trump
Zidan thinks that Trump will first retreat to the safety of the mixed-martial-arts Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which he managed to include in the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
"All he's really interested in is making this about himself or reaping any sort of personal prestige from an event," Zidan said. "So I'm not really surprised at all that he wasn't very present at standard World Cup games."
Despite his apparent lack of interest, Trump made a play for future World Cups immediately after the 2026 tournament ended. "I had a great idea for Gianni: You have to do two countries. Announce us again next time and then announce another country after that. It'll take out some of the anger and the shock," he told Fox Sports. "Based on the numbers, we will be requesting it again immediately."
The earliest the US could host the men's World Cup again is 2038, but Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics in 2028, with Trump still in power ahead of the presidential election that November. The US is hosting the 2034 Winter Olympics in in Salt Lake City and is likely to win the Women's World Cup for 2031.
UFC a safe sporting haven for Trump
Zidan thinks that Trump will first retreat to the safety of the mixed-martial-arts Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which he managed to include in the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Trump's relationship with UFC is a long and fruitful one
Image: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo/picture alliance
"Whenever he has shown up at a sports event that is not a UFC event, he's received resounding boos. It's not the massive warm welcome he is used to receiving at the UFC," said Zidan, whose latest book, "The Ultimate Strongmen," focuses on Trump's relationship with the UFC.
"That's why he shows up so often there, why he's hosted a UFC event at the White House. He understands that is his perfect audience and his safe space, and, no matter how poorly he's performing and no matter what he's doing in the world, no matter if there's a war going on, he will be welcomed."
Though FIFA and its president rolled out the red carpet for Trump and the 2026 World Cup made more profit than any tournament before, it is the US voters, not the executive bodies of football organizations, whom Trump must impress now. Whichever way the midterms go, it's unlikely he'll be ushered off the political stage anytime soon.
Edited by: Milan Gagnon
Matt Pearson Reporter and editor@thisismpearson
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