FIFA Considers Letting Trump Join World Cup Trophy Ceremony

FIFA is weighing a change to the World Cup closing ceremony that could allow U.S. President Donald Trump to remain on the podium with the winning team and take part in the trophy lift, a move that would break a long-standing tournament tradition. The report, published by TalkSport, says the issue is being discussed during the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

According to the report, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has already asked Trump to present the trophy to the captain of the winning side. The more controversial question is whether Trump would stay on stage after the handover and appear alongside the players as they celebrate. If approved, FIFA would need to alter the standard ceremony protocol, under which the World Cup trophy is kept on a dedicated stand until the captain lifts it with teammates.

The article says the final decision is expected to be left to Trump. White House officials reportedly believe that if he is offered the option, he will want to stay on the podium with the new world champions. The piece recalls Trump’s presence at last summer’s Club World Cup final, when he handed the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James and remained on stage during the celebrations, an appearance that drew widespread attention online.

The discussion is also being compared with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani placed a traditional bisht cloak on Lionel Messi before Argentina lifted the trophy. That moment also drew criticism from fans who felt the players’ celebration had been folded into a broader political and ceremonial spectacle.