Trump will – FIFA plans to let President Donald Trump take part in the World Cup trophy ceremony at MetLife Stadium on July 19, appearing on stage with the champions and presenting the trophy to the winning team’s captain—breaking nearly a century of protocol, the report s
Donald Trump will walk on stage at MetLife Stadium on July 19, not as the person whose team won the World Cup, but as the one FIFA will allow to be part of the moment.
The plan centers on ceremony control: FIFA will let him appear with the champions after the final whistle and present the World Cup trophy to the winning team’s captain. a role that traditionally belongs to the captain first touching the trophy and carrying it to the championship podium. A report says the change would break nearly a century of protocol. with FIFA once again catering to the president’s wishes.
TalkSPORT reported on June 15 that FIFA will “leave it to Trump’s own discretion” whether he stays with the team during the lift or remains with other executives during the ceremony. The report also says FIFA has no objection to Trump inserting himself into the championship celebration.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, has previously enabled similar moves. Trump famously inserted himself into Chelsea’s 2025 Club World Cup championship—appearing on the championship podium next to baffled Chelsea players while Infantino let him stay on stage. He then kept the 2025 FIFA Club Cup trophy for himself, forcing Chelsea to be presented with a replica.
Infantino later introduced a “FIFA Peace Prize” for Trump. The report says it was created to bestow on him, after he was salty about not winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Now, Trump’s reach looks set to extend to the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Mexico and Canada. The report says officials from both countries will be invited to the ceremony at MetLife Stadium. though it is unclear whether invitations are being extended to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump, 80, is no stranger to making major sports moments about himself. In the NBA, the report points to how he made Game 3 of the NBA Finals about his own presence by attending the New York Knicks’ first Finals home game at Madison Square Garden since 1999.
With the World Cup trophy ceremony set for July 19, the political stakes around the event are starting to feel immediate. The report points to “potential for intense political intrigue,” and it also places the announcement against the larger backdrop of global tension involving Iran.
Iran is participating in the World Cup. While the report describes Iran as heavy underdogs to win the whole thing, it adds that Iran currently has one point in the tournament—matching the totals of favorites like Spain and Brazil—according to the standings as of June 16.
Donald Trump FIFA World Cup trophy ceremony MetLife Stadium Gianni Infantino Chelsea 2025 Club World Cup FIFA Peace Prize Justin Trudeau Claudia Sheinbaum Iran World Cup
So he’s basically gonna be the main character at the trophy thing?
I don’t get why they’d let him up there. Protocol was there for a reason… unless FIFA just wants ratings or something. Also MetLife is gonna be a zoo.
Wait isn’t the World Cup trophy lift done by the coach? Or am I mixing it up with hockey? Either way, this sounds like he’s stepping on the captain’s job, like the trophy’s not even the trophy anymore, it’s a photo op.
It’s crazy how FIFA keeps bending for him. Like first he jumps on stage at Chelsea, then takes a trophy for himself (replica??), and now we’re doing it again but with the real World Cup thing. I’m not even mad, I’m just confused why anyone in soccer leadership is ok with this.