U.S. President Donald Trump (80) will present the trophy to the winners of the World Cup final on July 19 in New Jersey. This has now been confirmed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino (56). According to media reports, the trophy will be presented jointly by Trump and Infantino to the captain of the winning team.
"We will enjoy the final together with the President and of course present the trophy to the winner together", Infantino said according to reports on the show "Fox & Friends". "We are together the whole time."
Trump's Last Trophy Presentation Caused Confusion
That Trump's role in a trophy presentation can raise questions was already evident last year. After the final of the FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey, there was controversy surrounding his appearance. The U.S. President was allowed to present the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James (26). However, Trump did not leave the winner's podium afterwards, but continued celebrating with the visibly irritated players of the winning team. "I was told he would present the trophy and then leave the stage, and I thought he would leave the stage, but he wanted to stay", James said afterwards.
At past World Cups, FIFA President Gianni Infantino or his predecessor Sepp Blatter (90) usually presented the winner's trophy to the newly crowned world champions. However, the involvement of a head of state in the trophy presentation would not be entirely new: they too have undertaken this task in the past.
In 1982, the then King Juan Carlos of Spain (88) presented the World Cup trophy to Italian captain Dino Zoff (84). English captain Bobby Moore (1941-1993) received the trophy in 1966 after the "Three Lions"' victory from Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022).
Donald Trump has not yet attended a game at the World Cup, which is currently taking place in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Whether he will watch another game in person from the stands before the final is not known.
