The U.S. president is stepping into one of sports’ biggest spotlight moments
When the final whistle blows at MetLife Stadium on July 19, one of the most recognizable faces in the world will be standing pitch-side. Not as a player or a coach, but as a co-presenter. Donald Trump is set to join FIFA President Gianni Infantino to hand the World Cup trophy to the winning nation, in front of one of the largest global television audiences in sports.
The 2026 tournament is currently underway, with the group stage unfolding across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How it was confirmed
Infantino made the joint appearance official during an interview on Fox & Friends. “We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” he said. He also noted the closeness of their relationship: “We are together all the time.”
It marks a notable shift in how the trophy moment is typically handled. Infantino has presented the World Cup trophy himself at each of the past two tournaments, in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar four years later. This time, he is sharing the stage.
Trump’s place in the picture
The pairing reflects more than ceremony. Trump and Infantino have been seen together publicly on multiple occasions, and their alignment around the 2026 tournament has been consistent and visible.
For Trump, the finale at MetLife is a high-profile moment on American soil, before a worldwide audience, at one of the most-watched sporting events on the planet. His presence alongside the FIFA president signals how deeply American political influence has become tied to this tournament. Not just as a host nation, but at the very moment the champion is crowned.