Trump's World Cup Debacle: Boos, Snubs, and Awkward Moments
Donald Trump’s World Cup appearance was anything but smooth, marked by boos and a notable player snub.
The US president, who had been largely absent from the public eye for weeks, made headlines two weeks prior when he intervened to suspend USA striker Folarin Balogun's red card ban, which came just before the team’s last-16 exit to Belgium.
Trump participated in a press conference with FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday and was expected to attend the final match at the New York New Jersey Stadium between Spain and Argentina.
Before the match, Trump told FOX that the US should host another World Cup “immediately,” despite the fact that the US cannot host again until 2038 at the earliest.
On a day filled with drama, Trump faced a chorus of jeers upon his arrival.
He landed on Marine One and took his seat about 20 minutes before kick-off next to Infantino. The crowd briefly booed when he appeared on the stadium screens after the American national anthem.
Trump sat in a glassed-in VIP section alongside Infantino and Melania, with fellow leaders Mark Carney from Canada and Claudia Sheinbaum from Mexico.
About 15 minutes into the first half, Trump was shown on the broadcast as he admired the World Cup trophy in his VIP box.
However, after the match, the boos intensified as Trump and Infantino entered the pitch for the trophy ceremony. The noise level increased from 78 decibels to 84 decibels when Trump appeared.
Trump presented medals to the players of Argentina and Spain, a standard duty for the head of state of the host country.
A significant moment occurred when Argentina defender Cristian Romero walked past Trump without shaking his hand after receiving his medal from Infantino. Romero acknowledged Sheinbaum and Carney but ignored Trump entirely.
Even Spain’s Borja Iglesias, who has criticized Trump previously, shook his hand but remarked pre-match, “I don't want to go to prison.”
In a repeat of past awkwardness, Trump lingered during Spain's celebrations as captain Rodri lifted the trophy. He even attempted his famous YMCA dance move before Infantino guided him off-camera.
Rodri displayed patience as he waited for Trump to step aside before lifting the trophy with his team. The moment was still uncomfortable, but there was no memorable photobomb this time despite Trump's efforts.
In the lead-up to the final, fog from Canadian wildfires blanketed New York, prompting Trump to express his frustration to Carney during the match.
Trump recounted their conversation upon returning to Washington, stating, “I told him ‘you got to stop these fires from coming in and poisoning our air.’”
He continued, “Our air has been poisoned... maybe they should pay us some damages or something.”
Trump also noted that he had never seen such environmental issues before in his lifetime, claiming it had been happening over the last four or five years.
Speaking to FOX before the match, Trump reiterated that the World Cup should return to the United States “immediately.”
He acknowledged that there would be “shock” and “anger” at such a decision but insisted, “We have to do this again while I am around.”
With Spain, Portugal, and Morocco confirmed as hosts for 2030 and Saudi Arabia set for 2034, the US cannot host until 2038 at the earliest—a gap of 12 years.
By that time, Trump would be 92 years old.
