Sports · Full coverage

Spanish Forward Borja Iglesias Sparks Controversy Over Refusal to Shake Hands with Trump at World Cup Final

How 4 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.

75% center

Center 3Right 1

First reported by Walla · Jul 19, 2026

What happened

Spanish striker Borja Iglesias sparked controversy before the 2026 World Cup final by saying he would only shake hands with U.S. President Donald Trump to avoid jail. Known for his pro-Palestinian views and past political protests, Iglesias’ remarks have caused discomfort among U.S. hosts and heightened tensions around the event.

01Borja Iglesias joked he would shake Trump’s hand only to avoid jail before the World Cup final.
02His comments caused immediate controversy among U.S. hosts and media.
03The Spanish Football Federation has not officially responded to the incident.
04Iglesias is known for his outspoken pro-Palestinian views and past national team protest.
05Security at the final is tight amid political sensitivities involving players and officials.
06The incident highlights ongoing political tensions affecting major sporting events.

Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.

In this story

People