Spain won the World Cup final against Argentina 1-0, but after the final whistle, many spectators’ attention turned to more than just the team’s victory. U.S. President Donald Trump, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, presented the trophy and then remained on stage longer than is typical during such ceremonies. While the players celebrated their triumph, Trump continued standing in the front row. He later disappeared from some celebration photos after the Spanish team reportedly removed him from several shots. Reactions inside the stadium were also mixed, with reports that Trump was booed multiple times.
Donald Trump remained on stage during Spain’s World Cup celebration
Normally, the FIFA president presents the trophy, but this time Trump appeared prominently beside Infantino. He also placed medals around the players’ necks and, according to Ladbible, drew attention with his unusually restrained body language.
Body language expert Mark Bowden explained: “Trump makes no attempt to pull any of these players off balance, completely breaking from his purposeful, signature handshake routine,” according to Ladbible. He also showed notable restraint when touching the golden trophy. Rather than holding it dramatically, he simply gave it a brief tap.
Experts See Either Uncertainty or a Deliberate Display of Power
Opinions differ over why Trump did not leave the stage immediately after the ceremony. According to behavioral scientist Abbie Marono, as reported by HuffPost, the moment may have represented a territorial signal and an attempt to reinforce his status. Other experts viewed the situation in a less calculated way.
Susan Constantine suggested it may have been confusion or a misunderstanding of nonverbal signals, while Denise Dudley said the cues to leave appeared obvious. Infantino reportedly guided Trump in the correct direction several times. Still, in the photos, the president appeared calm, standing upright and showing little urgency to step away.
Mark Bowden Believes Trump’s Presence Was Intentional
Another interpretation goes further. According to AOL, Mark Bowden believes Trump deliberately stayed in the frame after realizing he was not the central figure of the moment—the players were. Bowden pointed to Trump’s pats on the back and gestures toward the team as attempts to project connection and equality.
The situation became especially awkward when Trump remained in the winners’ group photo. Earlier, during the medal ceremony, he had also caused confusion when Argentina’s Nahuel Molina initially did not receive his silver medal.
Boos, Tense Moments, and a Controversial Appearance
The atmosphere around Trump’s presence remained tense throughout the evening. He was met with boos both before kickoff and later when he entered the field. The reaction was followed by moments of distance from some players: Argentina’s Cristian Romero reportedly refused to shake his hand, while Spain’s Borja Iglesias had previously admitted that the protocol created an internal conflict for him.
“There’s a protocol and a commitment to fulfill out of politeness, even though what my gut tells me to do differs from what I should do,” Iglesias said, according to HuffPost. Trump later praised the event, calling it one of the greatest sporting occasions ever.
