Donald Trump is set to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on 19 July, Gianni Infantino has said. The FIFA president confirmed the plan in an interview with Fox and Friends, noting that Trump will play a starring role in the trophy presentation ceremony at the New York New Jersey Stadium, the same venue where he presented the Club World Cup trophy last year.
Infantino and Trump's Close Relationship
Infantino and Trump have forged a close relationship in the build-up to these finals, but the US president has barely talked about the tournament since it began on 11 June, and is yet to attend a match. Despite this, Infantino stated: "We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course." When asked if they could make the presentation together, Infantino added: "Of course, we are together all the time."
Previous Trophy Presentation
At the Club World Cup final, Trump remained on the winners' podium after handing the trophy to Chelsea's Reece James. James recalled: "They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay." Asked what Trump had said to him, James added: "To be honest it was quite loud. I couldn't hear too much. He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment." James's teammate Cole Palmer appeared bemused by the situation, saying: "I knew he was going to be here, but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes."
