Infantino confirms Trump will co-present World Cup trophy at MetLife final

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed on Tuesday that Donald Trump will stand alongside him to present the World Cup trophy at the final in MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, on July 19. Infantino made the disclosure during a television appearance, stating: “We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course together.”

Asked to clarify whether he and Trump would jointly hand over the trophy, Infantino left no ambiguity: “Of course, we are together all the time.”

The announcement comes amid reports that Trump’s aides are in “crisis mode” over the president’s potential exposure to offensive chants from supporters at World Cup fixtures. According to a source, staff are working to keep Trump away from matches involving English-speaking teams specifically to limit that risk. Trump has not yet attended a single World Cup game this summer, making the final — if confirmed — his first appearance at the tournament.

This will not be Trump’s first time presenting silverware at a major football occasion. Last year he joined Chelsea FC on stage at MetLife Stadium to hand over the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, before remaining on stage during the team’s celebrations and later saying he “wanted to stay.”

The World Cup final, held once every four years and watched by billions worldwide, represents a considerably more prominent stage. With the United States co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, Trump’s presence at the showpiece event had long been anticipated, though Infantino’s comments represent the first formal confirmation.

Trump has had a busy sporting summer, attending an NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden — where he was jeered by Knicks supporters — and the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House on his 80th birthday.

The relationship between Trump and Infantino has drawn scrutiny from observers who accuse the FIFA chief of cultivating the president’s favour. Infantino received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at the World Cup draw in December and visited the Oval Office with the World Cup trophy before the tournament began.