FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that United States President Donald Trump will join him in presenting the FIFA World Cup trophy to the winners of the 2026 final, marking a departure from recent tournament tradition and placing the US president at the centre of the competition’s showpiece event.With the World Cup entering its decisive stages, attention is already beginning to shift towards the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium. While the identity of the finalists remains unknown, FIFA has now revealed who will be handing over the trophy.Speaking during an interview on Fox & Friends, Infantino confirmed that Trump will share the presentation duties when the tournament concludes.“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course,” Infantino said.When asked whether the pair would jointly present the trophy, the FIFA president responded: “Of course, we are together all the time.”
Break from recent World Cup protocol
The decision represents a notable shift from recent World Cup finals.During the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the trophy was presented by Infantino himself. His predecessor, Sepp Blatter, also oversaw trophy presentations during his tenure as FIFA president.However, football’s history includes several examples of heads of state and monarchs taking part in the ceremony.Following Italy’s World Cup triumph in 1982, Spain’s King Juan Carlos handed the trophy to captain Dino Zoff. England captain Bobby Moore famously received the Jules Rimet Trophy from Queen Elizabeth II after England’s victory at the 1966 World Cup.The 2026 final will therefore revive a tradition that has occasionally seen political and royal figures play a prominent role in football’s biggest moment.
Relationship between Trump and Infantino
Infantino and Trump have maintained a close working relationship throughout the build-up to the tournament.While the FIFA president has been a constant presence at matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, Trump has kept a relatively low profile during the competition itself and has not yet attended a match.
FILE – President Donald Trump speaks alongside the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, and Vice President JD Vance, left, watch in the Oval Office of the White House, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
According to reports, Infantino has attempted to attend as many fixtures as possible during the tournament, often appearing at multiple matches on the same day.The World Cup final, however, will see both men together on football’s biggest stage.
Club World Cup presentation sparked controversy
The announcement also comes less than a year after Trump’s involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup final created significant discussion.Following Chelsea’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Trump presented the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James but then remained on the winners’ podium during the team’s celebrations.The moment appeared to catch several Chelsea players by surprise.“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,” James said afterwards.Asked what Trump had said to him, James replied: “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.”Chelsea star Cole Palmer also admitted he had not expected Trump to remain on stage during the celebrations.“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,” Palmer said.The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, bringing the expanded 48-team tournament to a close.Whoever emerges as world champions will now receive the trophy from both FIFA president Gianni Infantino and United States President Donald Trump, ensuring that one of football’s most iconic moments will also carry significant political and historical attention.
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