The winner of the 2026 FIFA World Cup won’t just be lifting football’s most coveted trophy — they’ll be receiving it from U.S. President Donald Trump.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently confirmed that Trump will join him in presenting the FIFA World Cup trophy to the tournament champions following the final on 19 July (Sunday) at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
A Break From Recent Tradition
According to Infantino, he and Trump will jointly hand the trophy to the winning team’s captain during the post-match ceremony. The announcement marks a departure from recent World Cup finals, where the FIFA president alone presented the trophy to the champions.
Speaking about the arrangement, Infantino said that he and Trump would attend the final together before sharing the responsibility of presenting the trophy to the winning side.
While heads of state have occasionally participated in trophy presentations throughout World Cup history, the role has not been a regular feature of recent tournaments.
Close FIFA Ties
The announcement is the latest example of the close relationship between Trump and FIFA leadership.
Over the past year, Trump and Infantino have appeared together at several FIFA-related events, including the 2026 World Cup draw and the FIFA Club World Cup. Trump was also awarded FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize during the World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, D.C., in December 2025.
The pair were also present during the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation last year, where Trump joined Infantino on stage following Chelsea’s victory.
All Eyes On The Final
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has already attracted global attention both on and off the pitch.
With the final set to take place on 19 July, Trump’s involvement in the trophy ceremony is expected to become one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament’s conclusion.
Whether fans embrace the decision or debate it, one thing is certain: all eyes will be on the stage when the new world champions are crowned.
Do stay tuned to Hype Malaysia for more updates.
