In FIFA's photo of Spain celebrating World Cup win, it's exit stage left for Trump
After spending the preceding minutes front and center handing out medals, the U.S. president was nowhere to be seen in the federation's celebratory post.
A screen capture of FIFA's X post uploaded on July 20 shows Spain celebrating its World Cup victory. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente and U.S. President Donald Trump are cropped out of the photo.SCREEN CAPTURE
When FIFA posted a photo of Spain celebrating their World Cup victory on stage after defeating Argentina in the final, U.S. President Donald Trump, who spent the preceding minutes in a conspicuous position handing out medals, was nowhere to be seen.
The moment, immortalized on the global footballing federation's X account, came after La Roja prevailed with a 1-0 win over Lionel Messi's side at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for its second World Cup and its first since 2010.
Trump watched from a suite with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, then walked onto the field with him for the trophy presentation.
After putting medals around the Spanish players' necks, Trump handed the trophy to the captain, Rodri, and then stayed where he was. He remained at the front of the stage as the players prepared to celebrate, with Rodri appearing to gently usher him to the side of the stage. Trump remained in front of the players as the Manchester City man lifted the trophy and gold confetti fired overhead until Infantino moved in to steer him off.
"Trump loomed over the World Cup, up until the awkward trophy ceremony," The Washington Post wrote in a Monday article.
FIFA's World Cup account on X later posted an image of the celebrations without Trump visible, only a sliver of his shoulder seen at the edge. Also not present in the photo were Infantino and Spain's manager, Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish Football Federation posted its own picture without Trump in it, taken moments after he stepped to the side.
Neither organization has said the framing was deliberate, and some reporting has noted that a photograph taken seconds later would exclude him without any editing. The White House posted its own set of pictures from the final on Monday, all of them featuring the president.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks onto the stage for the trophy presentation during the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.AP/YONHAP
Dani Garrido, a commentator for the Spanish radio station Cadena SER, praised the captain for holding his ground until the president left the shot.
"That takes a lot of personality, bravo to Rodri," Garrido said.
Reaction online was heavily critical, with users on social media and football forums accusing Trump of stepping on the winners' moment.
It was not the first time. Trump stayed on stage as the trophy was lifted at last year's Club World Cup final at the same stadium and stood among the Chelsea players as they raised the prize.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
