NEW DELHI: Spain forward Borja Iglesias made a light-hearted comment ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, saying he hopes he does not have to spend much time shaking hands with US President Donald Trump during the trophy presentation after Sunday’s title clash against Argentina at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Trump is expected to attend the World Cup final, and Spanish magazine Panenka asked Iglesias how he would react if he had to greet the US President after the match.
‘I don’t want to go to jail’
Replying with humour, Iglesias said he would shake hands with Trump but hoped the moment would be over quickly.“I will shake hands with Trump, but I hope it’s quick… I don’t want to go to jail,” Iglesias said as quoted by Italian news website Il Messaggero.The Celta Vigo striker said he simply wanted to enjoy the occasion if Spain lifted the trophy.“I hope to greet him at a time when we are all very happy, and that it ends very quickly so I can forget about it.”Iglesias also said he did not want the moment to turn into a political issue.“I don’t want to go to jail for refusing. I don’t think this is the time to create controversy because people already know very well what I think. I would like to do many things, but the reality is that even if people think I am omnipotent, I don’t really have that much power to deal with certain issues,” as per Il Messaggero.
Spain eye second World Cup title
Spain have enjoyed a superb tournament, conceding just one goal and becoming the first team in men’s FIFA World Cup history to keep six clean sheets in a single edition.After opening their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, Spain have won six matches in a row, beating Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France to book their place in the final.
Argentina chase history
Argentina head into the final looking to defend the FIFA World Cup title they won in 2022.Lionel Scaloni’s team reached the final after a 2-1 comeback win over England in the semi-finals and have now won 14 consecutive matches.Victory over Spain would make Argentina the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.The match will also be the first-ever FIFA World Cup final between the reigning European champions and the reigning Copa America champions.
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