New Delhi: As Spain lifted the 2026 World Cup trophy after defeating Argentina 1-0, US President Donald Trump lingered on the stage for a while before being ushered by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. While Spain wanted to make it a moment of their own, Infantino intervened to prevent Trump from photobombing the historic team photograph.
The incident at the World Cup final sparked conversation around Trump’s actions. Australian sports presenter and SBS host Claudio Fabiano said, “They can edit him out of that.”
Meanwhile, several X users pointed out the incident and said that ‘it was expected from Trump.’
“As expected… Trump refused to get out of the frame when Spain did the traditional World Cup Trophy lift. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had to literally run over and attempt to physically drag him away, so that the Spanish Champions could have their special moment. What a foul, embarrassing man. Not a single honourable bone in his body,” posted an X user.
Another X user posted that the team was ‘trying to drag him out but he wouldn’t leave.’
A few resorted to memes to troll the 80-year-old president.
An X user said, “Bro thinks he’s on the team.”
The optics of Trump remaining at team celebrations gave football fans a sense of deja vu. A near-identical incident occurred during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at the very same venue. After presenting the winners’ medals to Chelsea, Trump similarly lingered during the team’s celebrations, resisting cues from officials to vacate the frame.
To this, an X posted, “Same stadium. Same stage. Same old Donald Trump”.
Also read: How FIFA paints the centre mark before the World Cup final
‘One of the greatest events’
On Tuesday, Spain secured their second World Cup trophy after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 in the final. The European champions dictated the tempo from the opening whistle, dominating the Argentine team and restricting Lionel Messi’s influence by denying transition opportunities.
Despite Spain unleashing 20 shots and controlling the greater share of possession, Argentina’s defensive block held firm throughout the clash. The resistance was anchored by a historic performance from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who registered a record 12 saves to repeatedly deny Spain’s young attackers.
Spain finally got a breakthrough in the 106th minute when substitute Ferran Torres converted a header assist from Williams.
After the final, Trump termed the 2026 World Cup as “one of the greatest events of any kind ever held.”
“There has never been anything like it, probably in terms of an event, let alone soccer or football. It was four times greater than any FIFA ever held,” he said. “It’s probably about five times, actually, they’re telling me today.”
(Edited by Saptak Datta)