Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino booed by the crowd at the 2026 World Cup

After the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which saw Spain defeat Argentina in a thrilling encounter, parts of the audience booed both U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino as they entered the stadium’s field to present the golden trophy to the Spanish team. Despite the audible boos, amid the music and noise of the crowd, Trump remained unfazed, choosing instead to stay on stage for the team's victory photo. The incident occurred shortly after the match ended, with Trump and Infantino stepping onto the pitch to hand over the World Cup trophy. The moment was marked by clear signs of disapproval from sections of the crowd, though neither Trump nor Infantino appeared to take notice. Trump later joined the winning team for a photograph, remaining on the podium even as the confetti rained down around them. He watched as the Spanish players celebrated before eventually departing with Infantino. This was not the first time Trump had caused confusion during a major sporting event. During the previous summer’s club World Cup, he created a stir when he stayed on stage after the FC Chelsea captain won the tournament against Paris Saint-Germain. As the player held the trophy aloft, Trump simply remained among the team members, prompting the player to look at him questioningly before raising the trophy himself. For Trump, this was his first visit to a World Cup stadium. Yet, despite the mixed reception, he expressed satisfaction with the outcome. In an interview directed toward Infantino, he remarked, “We need to do this again, and we’ll keep doing it as long as I’m here. Did you hear that, Gianni?” Earlier in the week, Trump had announced his intention to run for another World Cup hosting bid for the United States, although he added that this time, Mexico and Canada would not be included in the proposal. The 2026 World Cup was marred by several political controversies. Among these were issues surrounding the entry of a Somali referee and the treatment of the Iranian team. Trump found himself at the center of one of the biggest scandals, having called Infantino during a phone conversation to request a review of the suspension imposed on U.S. player Folarin Balogun following a red card. As a result, the governing body granted the player permission to participate in the competition. As the tournament drew to a close, questions lingered about the future of international football and its relationship with political figures. With Trump’s continued involvement in sports matters and the ongoing scrutiny of FIFA’s leadership, the landscape of global soccer appears set for further developments.