US president draws online criticism after staying beside Spain’s players as they lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Image: Yahoo Sports
Donald Trump sparked widespread criticism after remaining on stage during Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy celebration. Spain defeated Argentina in a thrilling final, but the US president’s actions quickly became a major talking point.
Trump walked onto the pitch with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and was met with loud boos from sections of the crowd. The pair presented the World Cup trophy to Spain following the final whistle.
As the Spanish players prepared to lift the trophy, Trump briefly stayed on stage while Infantino appeared to encourage him to step aside. Videos of the moment spread rapidly across social media.
The 80-year-old president also performed a brief version of his signature “Trump dance” in front of the celebrating Spanish squad, adding to the online reaction.
Many social media users criticised the moment, saying Trump distracted from Spain’s historic celebration. One user wrote, “Donald Trump did not want to let Spain celebrate their win without him,” while another commented, “It happened again.”
The 2026 World Cup final marked the first tournament match Trump attended as US president, reflecting his growing presence at high-profile sporting events.
