FIFA cuts Trump from World Cup trophy photo after ceremony

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, July 19, securing its second world title. The on-field celebrations, however, were partly overshadowed by the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who presented the trophy and remained on stage, creating an awkward moment that later extended to official social media posts.

President Trump, attending alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and other world leaders, handed the trophy to Spanish captain Rodri as part of a pre-arranged ceremony. Video from the event shows Trump lingering on the stage afterward, with Rodri appearing to gesture for him to move aside before Infantino stepped in to guide the president away. The incident drew immediate attention online, with many viewers noting the similarity to a previous trophy presentation involving Trump and Chelsea FC last year.

The visual narrative shifted further when official celebratory images posted by FIFA and the Spanish national team on social media did not include Trump, focusing solely on the players with the trophy. This contrasted with live broadcast footage and news photographs that showed...