US president drew attention in last summer’s Club World Cup final when he remained on the winners’ podium during the trophy lift
Donald Trump will be present at the World Cup final on 19 July and will hand the trophy over to the winners, according to Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
Infantino confirmed that the US president is expected to join him on the podium at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for the trophy presentation. Trump has yet to make an appearance at a World Cup game and if that remains the case until 19 July, then the final could be his first and only appearance.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course,” Infantino said. Asked whether they would make the presentation jointly, he added: “Of course, we are together all the time.”
Trump was also present at Fifa’s Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium last summer, where he presented the trophy to Chelsea after their victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
On that occasion, Trump remained on the winners’ podium with the players during the trophy lift, causing some confusion among players and observers.
Chelsea captain Reece James later said: “They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Asked what Trump had said to him, James added: “To be honest it was quite loud. I couldn’t hear too much. He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer admitted he was surprised by the president’s presence during the celebrations. “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes.”
