Following the trophy presentation to the Spanish national team on 19/7 alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, US President Donald Trump lingered at the center of the awards podium. Team captain Rodri attempted to signal for Mr. Trump to move aside, allowing him and his teammates to lift the trophy and celebrate. However, Mr. Trump remained on the left side of the formation, seemingly wishing to be included in the champions' photo.
FIFA President Infantino then approached to remind Mr. Trump to yield the stage to the Spanish team. Despite this, the US President remained in the frame during the initial celebration. He departed only after the champion team continued their photo session.
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The photo posted by FIFA on X shows the Spanish national team lifting the trophy, with Mr. Trump's image removed. *Photo: X/ FIFA World Cup*
The official FIFA World Cup account subsequently posted a congratulatory photo of the Spanish team on the X platform, but FIFA had cropped out Mr. Trump's image from the frame. FIFA also omitted Coach Luis de la Fuente, though he appeared in an image shared by the Spanish men's national team account.
The Spanish Football Federation also used a photo that did not include Mr. Trump, captured moments after he left the stage with President Infantino.
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US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (far right) as the Spanish national team lifted the gold trophy. *Photo: AFP*
The Spanish team later celebrated with King Felipe VI of Spain and his family. King Felipe VI will host the players in Madrid on the afternoon of 19/7 before their open-top bus parade through the capital.
Last summer, President Trump garnered attention for a similar incident, standing prominently next to Chelsea club captain Reece James during their FIFA Club World Cup trophy celebration.
Thanh Tam (According to Telegraph, The London Economic)
