Key Takeaways
U.S. President Donald Trump will help present the trophy at the 2026 World Cup final.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the plan during an interview on Fox & Friends.
The final is scheduled to take place in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.
Trump and Infantino are expected to jointly hand the trophy to the winning team’s captain.
The decision marks a change from recent World Cup trophy presentation protocol.
Donald Trump Will Help Present the World Cup Trophy
U.S. President Donald Trump is set to play a major role in the 2026 World Cup final ceremony.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Trump will help present the trophy to the winners of the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19.
The moment is expected to be one of the most watched trophy presentations in sports, with the final taking place on U.S. soil as part of the North American-hosted tournament.
According to Infantino, Trump will join him in handing the trophy to the captain of the winning team.
Gianni Infantino Confirms Trophy Presentation Plans
Infantino confirmed the plan during an appearance on Fox & Friends.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said.
The FIFA president also described his relationship with Trump as close, saying, “We are together all the time.”
The announcement makes clear that the trophy ceremony will include both the FIFA president and the U.S. president, placing Trump directly at the center of the final’s closing moment.
Why the 2026 World Cup Final Will Break Recent FIFA Tradition
The decision marks a break from recent FIFA protocol.
At the previous two World Cups held under Infantino’s leadership, the FIFA president presented the trophy himself. Infantino handed over the trophy at both the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Before Infantino, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter also typically handled trophy presentation duties.
This time, however, Trump will share the stage with Infantino, creating a different kind of ceremony for the 2026 final.
The move reflects the significance of the United States hosting the final and places political leadership alongside FIFA’s top official during one of the tournament’s defining moments.
Trump’s Club World Cup Moment Sparked Previous Attention
The decision also comes after Trump drew attention during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy ceremony last summer.
After Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey, Trump was allowed to present the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James. However, his decision to remain on stage during the team’s celebration became a major talking point.
Chelsea players appeared surprised as Trump stood among them during the trophy-lift moment.
That incident led to widespread discussion online and in the sports world, making his upcoming role at the World Cup final even more notable.
World Leaders Have Presented the World Cup Trophy Before
Although recent World Cup ceremonies have usually featured FIFA presidents presenting the trophy, heads of state have taken part in the tradition before.
In 1982, King Juan Carlos of Spain handed the trophy to Italy captain Dino Zoff after Italy won the World Cup.
In 1966, Queen Elizabeth II presented the trophy to England captain Bobby Moore following England’s historic victory on home soil.
Those examples show that Trump’s involvement is not without precedent, even if it differs from the format used at the most recent tournaments.
Why the Trophy Ceremony Is Already Drawing Global Attention
The 2026 World Cup final is already expected to be one of the biggest sporting events in the world, and Trump’s involvement adds another layer of attention to the ceremony.
For FIFA, the moment will bring together sports, politics, and global spectacle on one of the largest stages in international entertainment.
For viewers, the trophy presentation will likely be watched closely not only for the winning team’s celebration, but also for how the ceremony is handled after Trump’s widely discussed Club World Cup appearance.
With the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey, the 2026 World Cup is now heading toward a dramatic closing moment that will extend beyond the pitch.
