Will Donald Trump present World Cup trophy at final? Here's what we know
Seth VertelneyEditor's note: Follow all World Cup matches and live scores today.
SEATTLE — When the 2026 World Cup trophy is awarded on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, U.S. President Donald Trump will be there.
That is straight from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who said in January that he expected Trump to present the trophy to the winner at the final.
"This trophy will be handed out on the 19th of July to the captain of the team who will win the World Cup," Infantino said. "I will give it together with the President of the United States, the host country. Nobody can touch this trophy."
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This is not the first time a head of state is attending the trophy presentation. Russian president Vladimir Putin was present in 2018 as France collected the trophy while Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, did the same in 2022.
The U.S. president, though, may try to become more prominently involved than the other leaders, at least judging by recent precedent. Trump crashed the trophy presentation of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after Chelsea's 3-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in last July.
After Trump stayed on the stage for longer than expected, Chelsea captain Reece James turned to the president and asked: “Are you going to leave?”
Chelsea forward Cole Palmer added: “I knew he was going to be there, but I didn't know he was going be on the stand where we lift the trophy. So, I was a bit confused."
There could be more confused players at MetLife Stadium this summer as well.
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