![US President Donald Trump applauds as Spain's national football team celebrates winning the 2026 North and Central America World Cup on Sunday. [Reuters]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/20/news-p.v1.20260720.0d2e8f93a303492c8e3984d6d51875e2_P1.jpg)
Donald Trump became an unlikely centerpiece of Spain's World Cup victory celebration Sunday, lingering on the podium as players cheered and posed with the trophy after defeating Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Trump attended the trophy presentation after watching the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, then joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino to hand the World Cup trophy to the Spanish team. As president of the United States — one of the three co-host nations and the country where the final was held — Trump shared the stage with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The leaders of all three co-host nations took part in the ceremony.
Standing alongside Infantino, the three leaders shook hands with players as they came up to the podium. Trump and Infantino presented medals to players from both Spain and runner-up Argentina.
Trump personally draped the runner-up medal around the neck of Argentine star Lionel Messi, whom he had praised effusively before the match. In a Fox Sports interview before the final, Trump cited Messi's performances throughout the tournament, saying, "It's hard to bet against Messi."
![US President Donald Trump holds up a medal at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup final on Sunday. [AFP]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/20/news-p.v1.20260720.9716730b330343758e7cf0713fe6a2d6_P1.jpg)
The medal presentations concluded before the main event: the handing over of the World Cup trophy.
Trump and Infantino lifted the trophy together from the podium table and presented it to Spain captain Rodri. Golden confetti cannons fired as Spanish players erupted in celebration and gathered for photos. Trump remained on the podium, applauding beside the players, until the first round of photographs was complete.
![US President Donald Trump walks past the Spain national football team after their victory at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup. [Reuters]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/07/20/news-p.v1.20260720.fb0281b4222f4ee5b2095c2bbf0d5fcb_P1.jpg)
Trump's decision to remain on the podium throughout the victory ceremony was consistent with his well-documented preference for taking center stage at major events.
When Trump walked onto the pitch for the trophy presentation, boos rang out from the stands.
According to the White House press pool, crowd noise measured 78 decibels before Trump appeared, rising to 84 decibels as the booing broke out.
yckim6452@heraldcorp.com
