US President Donald Trump took heart stage at MetLife Stadium on Sunday at hand the FIFA World Cup trophy to Spain’s triumphant stars after their dramatic closing win.
The European outfit clinched their second World Cup title after beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 1-0 in further time, following a late strike from ahead Ferran Torres.
Shortly after the full-time whistle, the US President made his manner all the way down to the sector and onto a stage which had been constructed, together with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.
Trump and Infantino handed out numerous awards to match officers and gamers, earlier than formally welcoming Spain’s gamers as much as the stage to raise the World Cup trophy.
The US President introduced the celebrated title to Spain captain and Manchester Metropolis midfielder Rodri, who took nice pleasure in elevating it aloft in East Rutherford.
Very similar to when he introduced the Membership World Cup title final summer time, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.
Donald Trump took heart stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy on Sunday afternoon
The President, together with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, introduced the trophy to Spain’s Rodri
It appeared as if Infantino tried to usher Trump away – however the President remained
It appeared as if, when Spain had been about to do the trophy raise, that Infantino had tried to usher Trump away from the gamers – although the President remained.
He stood to the aspect of the squad because the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning whereas Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.
There have been an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers who tuned in to look at the summer time event’s showpiece finale, the place Trump and Infantino took heart stage.
There have been additionally loud boos coming from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their manner onto the pitch, as followers made their emotions on the duo undoubtedly clear.
Previous to the official trophy raise, Trump additionally handed out silver medals to Argentina’s gamers – together with Lionel Messi – after their heartbreaking defeat in New Jersey.
Followers famous that one Argentina star – Tottenham defender Cristian Romero – completely ignored the President as he collected his medal from Infantino.
In a video which swiftly went viral on social media, the Argentinian could possibly be seen receiving his silverware from the FIFA chief earlier than waltzing previous Trump on stage.
In the meantime, Trump additionally introduced a trio of awards to Spain’s stars; together with the Younger Participant of the Match, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball – which had been claimed by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively.
Trump and Infantino stood on stage as golden confetti rained down round them in New Jersey
The US President welcomed Spain’s stars onto the stage earlier than presenting the celebrated title
The President additionally handed out silver medals to Lionel Messi and Argentina after their loss
Trump pictured presenting Lamine Yamal together with his medal after the 1-0 win at MetLife Stadium
Argentina defender Cristian Romero appeared to disregard Trump as he walked on stage
There was a level of irony with regard to Trump presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy, after beforehand launching a stinging assault on the nation at a UN summit earlier in July for not contributing sufficient cash to NATO.
‘Spain is a horrible associate in NATO. They don’t take part. They don’t pay. I don’t need something to do with Spain. Reduce off all commerce with Spain, please, together with visits,’ he mentioned. ‘Don’t even discuss to them. They’re hopeless, dangerous folks.’
Then, on his manner again to the USA on Air Pressure One, Trump mentioned Spain had tried to enhance their standings with him.
‘I did have points, and I nonetheless do. However Spain, they got here again all the way in which at this time. Spain was very beneficiant at this time,’ he mentioned.
‘They honoured a request for plenty of funds, and in the event that they did not, we would not have even talked to them.’
Earlier within the day, Trump and his spouse Melania had been seen taking within the motion inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite – alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump additionally shook arms with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them.
Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI additionally greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, is watching the sport from dwelling on account of ‘superstition,’ The New York Times reported.
Trump cozied as much as FIFA President Gianni Infantino within the non-public suite on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey
Contained in the non-public suite, Infantino posed for footage with the president’s son, Eric Trump, his spouse, Lara, and their kids
President Donald Trump and First Girl Melania joined the huge crowd at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the 2026 World Cup closing match
The commander-in-chief additionally waved on the crowd from behind the glass.
Contained in the non-public suite, Infantino posed for footage with the president’s son, Eric Trump, his spouse, Lara, and their kids. Barron Trump additionally confirmed up for the large recreation.
Forward of the match, Trump instructed Fox Information’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Crimson Carpet that ‘it is laborious to guess in opposition to Messi,’ talking of Argentina’s 39-year-old star.
Nevertheless, ultimately, it wasn’t to be for the veteran soccer star after he and Argentina got here up quick of their battle in opposition to European outfit Spain in East Rutherford.
The match was determined by a ferocious, close-range strike from Spanish star Ferran Torres within the 106th minute, after a 0-0 stalemate on the finish of regulation time.
Nevertheless, there have been ugly scenes as soon as the full-time whistle blew – with a variety of pissed off Argentina stars taking out their anger on Spain’s gamers after their loss.
After the whistle, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was despatched off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the bottom.
Argentina’s Nahuel Molina additionally punched Rodri within the torso as he was working by, whereas Thiago Almada was concerned, too.
Lionel Messi’s bid for back-to-back World Cup titles led to failure after their loss to Spain
A number of stars clashed after Spain’s 1-0 win as Argentina – however the South Individuals began it
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was despatched off after the whistle for getting violent with Spain
Micah Richards mentioned of their behaviour on the BBC: ‘It is embarrassing. They had been on the cusp each single time.
‘Seeing that form of stuff after the sport was performed, it is not good, it is embarrassing to be trustworthy. Paredes is healthier than that. Everyone knows what it is wish to lose a recreation however this isn’t adequate.’
Argentina solely had two photographs in your complete match, and the primary of these solely got here within the 117th minute.
Against this, they dedicated 24 fouls – although Spain did not have clear arms themselves, as they gave away 21.
Elsewhere on the day, World Cup followers branded FIFA’s controversial first-ever World Cup halftime present starring Madonna and Justin Bieber a ‘catastrophe’ on Sunday.
The futuristic phase started with Madonna, 67, singing her 2000 hit Music, accompanied by giddy Brazilian World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho.
The toned music legend was dressed head-to-toe in Saint Laurent, wowing in a pink satin teddy jacket and corset, mini shorts and lace-up boots, paired with stockings as she embraced the soccer icons, earlier than they drove her out into the stadium.
The unlikely trio then posed up on the grass and smiled on the crowds.
Madonna and Justin Bieber’s performances in the course of the World Cup halftime present divided followers
Shakira confirmed off her toned body as she carried out her hit Dai Dai with Burna Boy
Justin Bieber made a starkly completely different influence on the group as he stepped out with solely a guitar to sing a World Cup-themed model of his tune All the things Hallelujah – leaving followers baffled
Bieber, 32, made a starkly completely different influence on the group as he stepped out with nothing however a guitar to sing a World Cup themed model of his tune, All the things Hallelujah.
The singer was bizarrely subbed onto the pitch by Jason Sudeikis, enjoying his supervisor alter-ego Ted Lasso.
The star regarded relaxed as he casually walked onto the pitch earlier than belting out his hit monitor, including the ultimate line, ‘it is the World Cup, Hallelujah’ – with followers left baffled by his tune selection.
Shakira returned to the World Cup stage as she flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to carry out her hit Dai Dai, with Burna Boy, whereas Okay-pop sensations BTS regaled the group with Dynamite.
In addition to a halftime present, the World Cup closing additionally included a closing ceremony that featured performances and appearances from Put up Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, influencer IShowSpeed, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini.
