Political figures at the final
The World Cup final, held at a stadium near New York, concluded with Spain lifting the trophy. The event saw significant political attention, particularly from US President Donald Trump, who made several appearances throughout the day. His presence, alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino, drew attention both during and after the match.
Donald Trump arrived at the stadium approximately 20 minutes before kick-off, taking his seat next to Infantino. He was shown on the stadium’s big screens after the American national anthem, initially receiving a small chorus of jeers. Later, about 15 minutes into the first half, he was again shown on the host broadcast in his VIP box, where he was presented with the World Cup trophy.
The US President was seated in a glassed-in VIP section, accompanied by his wife, Melania. Other host country leaders, including Mark Carney of Canada and Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, were also present in his section, highlighting the international nature of the event and its political backdrop.
Post-match reactions and interactions
Following the match, as Trump and Infantino entered the pitch for the trophy ceremony, the crowd’s boos became more pronounced. A White House pool report indicated that the crowd noise increased from 78 decibels to 84 decibels when Trump made his way onto the field, suggesting a notable reaction from attendees.
During the medal presentation, Donald Trump, as the head of state for the predominant host country, presented medals to both the runner-up Argentina team and the victorious Spain players. A notable moment occurred when Argentina defender Cristian Romero, who plays for Tottenham, walked past the US President without shaking his hand after receiving his medal from Infantino. However, Romero did shake hands with Sheinbaum and Carney.
Even Spain’s Borja Iglesias, who had previously criticised Trump, shook the US President’s hand. Before the match, Iglesias had remarked on the potential encounter, stating he did not want to go to prison. This interaction underscored the varied responses to Trump’s presence among the players.
The trophy presentation itself saw Trump linger near the Spain captain, Rodri, as the trophy was about to be hoisted. Infantino reportedly moved to chaperone the US President to the side as Rodri, displaying his characteristic composure, waited momentarily before lifting the trophy. This moment was described as somewhat awkward, though it did not result in a significant photobomb.
Beyond the trophy ceremony, Trump also engaged in a discussion with Mark Carney regarding the Canadian wildfires that had caused fog over New York days before the final. Trump recounted telling Carney that Canada needed to stop the fires from affecting US air quality, suggesting that the US air had been poisoned. He also mentioned the possibility of damages or tariffs, highlighting the cross-border implications of the environmental issue.
Tournament reflections and future aspirations
The tournament itself, the largest World Cup ever with more teams, matches, and hosts, was described by Trump as “one of the greatest events of any kind ever held.” However, some observers found many of the 104 games, an increase from 64 in 2022, to be a slog. For instance, the match between Ecuador and Curaçao, which ended 0-0, was cited as an example of a game that might not have captivated audiences globally.
Despite some less engaging matches, there were memorable moments. Cape Verde was noted for their refreshing performance, being the only nation to play Spain and emerge unscathed. Their near-miss in the last 32 against Argentina, despite Lionel Messi’s influence, was highlighted as a moment that will be remembered in World Cup folklore. Belgium’s late comeback against Senegal was also described as cinematic, and England’s 6-4 victory over France was considered more memorable than a typical third-place playoff due to its unusual nature.
The tournament also featured Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side, which provided an entertaining run before a red card ban for striker Folarin Balogun was suspended after lobbying from Trump and the US administration. The US team ultimately exited in the last 16 to Belgium. The final match, where Spain stifled Argentina’s ambition, was seen by some as a fitting end to a tournament that was both exhaustive and exhausting, suggesting that there can be an excess of football.
Prior to the final, Donald Trump expressed his desire for the US to host another World Cup “immediately,” stating this to FOX. He acknowledged that such a decision would cause “shock” and “anger.” However, with Spain, Portugal, and Morocco confirmed as 2030 hosts and Saudi Arabia as 2034 hosts, the earliest the US could host again would be 2038.
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Source: theguardian.com
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
