Trump to present 2026 World Cup trophy to Spain or Argentina

Trump to present 2026 World Cup trophy to Spain or Argentina.

Key facts:

• US President Donald Trump will become the first sitting US president to personally hand over the FIFA World Cup trophy.
• The joint presentation with FIFA President Gianni Infantino marks a return to the tradition of the host nation’s leader taking part in the ceremony.
• Argentine President Javier Milei has declined an invitation to attend alongside Trump, citing strict superstition — he has watched all seven of Argentina’s matches from his home residence in Olivos.

US President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday to jointly present the World Cup trophy to either Spain or Argentina, the White House officially confirmed on Friday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the decision during a Thursday briefing.

“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, most secure, and most successful World Cup in American history. This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary

Trump will become the first sitting United States president to personally hand over the FIFA World Cup trophy. When the US previously hosted the tournament in 1994, then-President Bill Clinton deferred presentation duties at the Rose Bowl to Vice President Al Gore.

Infantino: ‘How it’s always been done’

FIFA President Gianni Infantino framed the joint presentation as a deliberate return to tradition. While recent finals in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022) saw host leaders Vladimir Putin and Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani join the stage, Infantino had in those cases taken sole responsibility for placing the trophy into the winning captain’s hands.

“Yes, hopefully we’ll present the trophy together in the final. That’s always been the plan, and that’s how it’s always been done in the past — the president of the country where the final is held presents the trophy together with the FIFA president.”— Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, speaking to Swiss outlet Blue Sport

Trump’s first in-person appearance — and the Balogun subplot

The final marks Trump’s first in-person appearance at a match during the tournament, following a highly publicised political controversy earlier in the knockout stages in which he publicly lobbied FIFA to review the one-match red card suspension handed to US striker Folarin Balogun. FIFA ultimately suspended the ban — though the US subsequently lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16.

Milei stays home

Notably absent from the VIP box will be Argentine President Javier Milei, one of Trump’s most prominent international political allies. Milei confirmed he declined an invitation to sit alongside Trump and Infantino, citing strict personal superstition.

Milei has watched all seven of Argentina’s matches from his home residence in Olivos and intends to maintain that routine to avoid breaking his team’s winning streak.