Donald Trump came down onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey at the end of the World Cup final to award Spain, the winners, but his presence alongside his friend, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, was met with boos from the New York crowd (as well as from Spanish fans and, in the majority, Argentine fans in the stands). Milei Stayed Home It was clearly a ceremony in which Trump wanted to be the center of attraction, even though the winning team came from the country led by socialist Pedro Sánchez, the most critical of the White House among European leaders. Argentina’s ultraconservative president Javier Milei, a great friend of Trump’s, had instead stayed home, saying it was for superstition’s sake; it didn’t help. Argentina, led by the legendary Leo Messi — who had very little impact in this final — and exhausted by this World Cup, failed to produce a single shot on target until the last five minutes of the second period of extra time, when, down to ten men after a red card, they threw everything forward, even bringing on goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who had been the protagonist of extraordinary saves against Spain’s attacks. Argentina even came close to equalizing, but in the end the only goal that stood was Ferran Torres’s, assisted by a brilliant Nico Williams (two other Spanish goals were ruled out, one for a razor‑thin offside, the other for a foul committed just before it, which was immediately whistled). The Medal Walk and the Podium The players’ walk past Infantino and Trump, complete with handshakes and the alternating presentation of medals, went smoothly (although some noted a slight hesitation from Lamine Yamal before shaking the American president’s hand; the young Spaniard had waved a Palestinian flag from Barcelona’s victory bus two months ago after winning La Liga). The Spanish Furia Roja were certainly more effusive, with hugs and laughter, when they passed in front of King Felipe VI, on the podium as Spain’s head of state. Also present were the leaders of the other two host nations, Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney. The Trophy Presentation The key moment, however, came with the presentation of the trophy. There had been debate over who should hand it over: Infantino or Trump? In the end, a diplomatic little dance: Infantino grabbed the trophy and handed it to Trump, and the two of them walked together, both hands outstretched, toward the podium where the jubilant winning team had gathered. Once in front of captain Rodri (Rodrigo Hernández Cascante, Manchester City and Spain national team midfielder, this championship’s Ballon d’Or winner), Trump let go of the trophy, and it was the FIFA president who handed it over. Infantino then stepped away, apparently inviting Trump to follow him, but the president, smiling, lingered a few seconds more in front of the players, who were clearly waiting for him to move aside so the celebration could begin. When Trump finally stepped just slightly to the side (though still in view of the cameras), Rodri was able to lift the trophy skyward as tradition dictates, and the customary cascade of colorful confetti burst out. Trump’s Comments and Political Presence Trump, who had arrived at MetLife Stadium by helicopter with his wife Melania and numerous family members, called the final a “hard‑fought” match and congratulated Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez. His political presence had accompanied the entire tournament, culminating in a phone call to Infantino asking him to lift the suspension of American player Folarin Balogun (which was done immediately, amid endless outrage and controversy). The United States, however, still lost 4–1 to Belgium. Looking Ahead Trump now dreams of hosting another World Cup in America: “We have to do this again while I’m still here.” Too bad that the World Cup — at least the FIFA one — is currently played every four years, and that the 2030 edition has already been assigned: the host countries are Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, though matches will also be played across Europe, South America, and Africa in another sprawling edition.