During the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that US President Donald Trump would join him in handing the trophy to the new world champions at the final in New Jersey. On 19 July 2026, that is exactly what happened. After Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time at MetLife Stadium, Trump and Infantino presented the famous gold trophy to the Spanish team together, marking an unusual moment in the tournament’s history.
Why the Trophy Presentation Matters
The trophy lift is the most-watched image of every World Cup. It closes a month-long tournament, crowns a champion and becomes the photograph that defines that edition for generations. Every detail, from the stage to the confetti to who hands over the trophy, is carefully choreographed.
At recent World Cups, Infantino presented the trophy himself. In 2026, he shared that role with the president of the main host nation.
World Leaders at Major Sporting Events
Heads of state attending World Cup finals is nothing new. Leaders of host and competing nations have traditionally joined dignitaries in the stands, and some have appeared at trophy ceremonies. Presidents and royals have presented trophies at events ranging from Wimbledon to the Olympics.
Still, a sitting US president co-presenting the trophy drew particular attention, given Trump’s high profile and his close relationship with Infantino during the tournament. Earlier in the year, Infantino had brought the trophy to the White House, where Trump held it.
The Story Behind the Trophy
The current FIFA World Cup Trophy was designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga and introduced in 1974. Made of 18-carat gold with bands of malachite at its base, it depicts two figures spiralling upwards to hold a globe. It stands about 36.8 centimetres tall and weighs just over 6 kilograms.
By tradition, only a select group of people are allowed to touch the original trophy, including World Cup winners and heads of state. Players who have not won it famously avoid touching it.
What Happened at the Final
Spain and Argentina produced a tense, closely fought final, decided 1-0 after extra time. The win gave Spain their second world title, 16 years after their first triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Trump watched from the VIP box with First Lady Melania Trump. Before kick-off, he was seen handling the trophy on its plinth while players from both teams walked past it without touching it, a moment widely shared on social media. After the match, he and Infantino handed the trophy to Spain’s players on the podium.
How the Ceremony Works
The ceremony follows a well-rehearsed sequence. A stage is assembled on the pitch, runners-up receive their medals first, then the winning team’s players and staff collect their gold medals. Finally, the captain receives the trophy and lifts it as fireworks and confetti fill the stadium. FIFA dignitaries and, often, officials from the host nation take part.
A Global Audience
World Cup finals are among the most-watched broadcasts on the planet, regularly attracting audiences of well over a billion people. The 2026 tournament, the first with 48 teams and the first hosted by three countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico, was expected to set new records for attendance and viewing.
That scale is why the trophy presentation is such a powerful moment, and why who stands on that stage attracts so much interest.
The Economic Power of the World Cup
The World Cup is FIFA’s main source of revenue, generating billions of dollars through broadcasting rights, sponsorship, ticketing and hospitality. For host nations, it brings tourism, global attention and investment, although the long-term economic benefits are often debated by economists.
The 2026 edition, played across 16 host cities, was the largest in the tournament’s history.
Symbolism in Global Sport
Sport and politics have always intersected, and the World Cup is no exception. Images of leaders with trophies carry symbolic weight, and they inevitably prompt discussion about the relationship between sporting bodies and governments. Reactions to Trump’s role ranged from those who saw it as a natural honour for the host nation’s leader to those who felt it took attention away from the players.
A Moment in Football History
Whatever one’s view, the image of the trophy being handed to Spain at MetLife Stadium is now part of World Cup history. For Spain’s players and fans, it will be remembered above all as the night they became world champions for the second time.
FAQ
Did Donald Trump present the World Cup trophy?
Yes. At the 2026 final on 19 July, Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the trophy to Spain together.
Who won the 2026 World Cup?
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, winning their second World Cup.
Who usually presents the World Cup trophy?
In recent tournaments the FIFA president has presented it, sometimes alongside heads of state or other dignitaries.
Who is allowed to touch the World Cup trophy?
By tradition, mainly World Cup winners and heads of state. Players who have not won the tournament usually avoid touching it.
Why does the trophy ceremony attract so much attention?
It is the climax of the world’s most-watched sporting event and produces the defining image of each tournament.
