Donald Trump awkwardly hung around on the World Cup winners podium as Spain’s victorious team celebrated.
The US President, joined as ever by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, handed the trophy to Spain skipper Rodri after a deserved 1-0 extra-time win against Argentina.
The Manchester City midfielder appeared to gently guide Trump to the side of the stage, as did Infantino, but he was still in shot when the World Cup was hoisted aloft.
Trump made a hasty exit with Spain’s celebrations in full flow having won the largest edition ever.
The scene mirrored Trump’s awkward part in Chelsea’s Club World Cup trophy presentation at the same MetLife Stadium a year ago.
Trump remained on the winners’ podium after handing the trophy to Chelsea’s Reece James after beating Paris St Germain, with match-winner Cole Palmer admitting he was “confused” by the situation.
A confused Trump overstays his welcome onstage and photobombs the FIFA World Cup winners as they hoist their trophy pic.twitter.com/DUpsV6iV3a
— FactPost (@factpostnews) July 19, 2026
Security was increased around the stadium as 80-year-old Trump attended Sunday’s global showpiece.
Other high-profile attendees included Sir David Beckham, his wife Lady Victoria Beckham, and their sons Cruz and Romeo.
Matt Damon, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Mick Jagger, Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet were also snapped in the crowd watching the game.
Before the match, a string of stars appeared for the tournament’s closing ceremony, including Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, pop star Robbie Williams and US singer Jennifer Hudson.
FIFA extended the interval of the match in New Jersey to allow for an 11-minute spectacle featuring performances from artists including Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber.
The show resulted in the customary 15-minute half-time break lasting more than 27 minutes.
Spain’s victory sparked wild celebrations in New York and in London, where hundreds of fans partied in Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez celebrated with a post on X, captioning a photo of the national side: “WE ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS!!”
Congratulations were also echoed by the Spanish royal family, who said in a social media statement that the win was “a triumph that will remain forever in the history of Spanish sport”.
King Felipe was seen congratulating the players after the win alongside Queen Letizia and their daughter, Princess Leonor.
Retired tennis great Rafael Nadal shared a video of himself reacting to the win on social media, captioning the X post “LET’S GOOOOO … WORLD CHAMPIONS FOR THE SECOND TIME!’”
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz celebrated in a post on X: “LET’S GO SPAIN!!!!!!!!!!!”
