Donald Trump was met with a chorus of boos and jeers as he walked onto the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to present the World Cup trophy alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The US president then lingered awkwardly in the frame as Spain celebrated their 2026 World Cup victory, repeating a pattern seen at the 2025 Club World Cup when he remained on stage during Chelsea's trophy lift.
Booed from the stands
Trump watched the match from a glassed-in suite with Infantino, Spain's King Felipe VI, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. He was briefly shown on stadium video screens after the US national anthem, drawing scattered boos. The hostile reception intensified when he descended to the field for the trophy presentation, with the vast majority of the crowd jeering.
This is not the first time Trump has faced such a reception at sporting events. He was booed at Madison Square Garden during the NBA finals, where the New York Knicks lost their only game with him in attendance. Earlier in the World Cup, the US men's national team crashed out in the round of 16 with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium after Trump successfully intervened to have Folarin Balogun's red card suspended.
Trophy presentation awkwardness
Trump presented medals to players alongside other dignitaries, shaking hands and saying "great job" or "congratulations." He then held the World Cup trophy with Infantino and handed it to Spain's captain, Rodri. Infantino ducked away, but Trump remained in place. Rodri motioned Trump to the left of the podium, and Trump pretended to descend the staircase but instead stood at the edge of the celebrations, forcing Infantino to jog over and plead with him to leave. By the time confetti fell, Trump had gone, but he lingered long enough to be visible in the frame as Rodri lifted the trophy.
According to reports, Trump's presence was a source of dread for American sports fans, echoing a sentiment similar to that surrounding rapper Drake's involvement in events. The repeated trophy-crashing behavior highlights a pattern of the US president inserting himself into moments of triumph he had little to do with.
