In an unprecedented scene that departed from official protocol, the World Cup was handed directly to US President Donald Trump in the stands during the major final match between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Trump, who sat beside his wife Melania and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was able to view the trophy up close and take photos with it in a friendly atmosphere, amid the excitement of the decisive match's start.

This informal display of the trophy came in the middle of the match, far from any usual official protocol, topping headlines and sparking debate about the nature of the apparent friendly relationship between the US president and the FIFA chief.

This scene is a departure from the traditions of World Cup finals, where the trophy is usually presented only to the winning team after the match in the official award ceremony, not to political figures during the game.

This gesture comes at the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States along with Mexico and Canada, after more than a month of intense competition in the largest tournament in World Cup history with 48 teams.

📸 - DONALD TRUMP WITH THE WORLD CUP TROPHY AND INFANTINO! pic.twitter.com/dkaYlIw6Oq — The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) July 19, 2026