- Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino were booed as they took to the field for the presentation ceremony after Spain's victory in the World Cup final.
- After presenting the trophy to Spain's captain Rodri, Trump refused to leave the stage during the team's celebration, prompting Infantino to try to usher him away.
- Infantino attempted to get Trump to move, but Trump stood applauding while the Spanish team lifted the trophy beside him.
- After nearly two years of public tensions, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and US President Donald Trump met at the World Cup final, seated in the VIP section.
- The meeting comes after months of friction over defence spending and differences regarding the war in Gaza.
- Relations have improved recently, with Trump acknowledging Spain's increased NATO commitments, contrasting his previous remarks where he called Spain a 'lost cause'.
President Donald Trump faced boos at the World Cup final in New Jersey, where he attempted to join Spain's celebration after their victory over Argentina.1
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had to usher Trump away as he refused to leave the stage, highlighting ongoing tensions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.2345
The encounter marked a significant moment after nearly two years of strained relations between the U.S. and Spain, primarily over defense spending and differing views on international conflicts.
Sánchez and Trump were seated in the VIP section at MetLife Stadium, where Spain triumphed. The two leaders had previously clashed over NATO commitments, with Trump criticizing Spain as a 'lost cause' before relations improved recently.910
During the trophy presentation, Trump and Infantino were met with boos as they took the stage. Trump's attempt to join the Spanish team in their celebration was met with resistance, as Rodri, the Spanish captain, asked him to move aside. Infantino's efforts to usher Trump away were described as a 'circus' by observers.
Despite the tensions, Sánchez congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in a recent interview, indicating a potential thaw in relations. However, the main source of friction remains Spain's defense spending, which has yet to meet NATO's target of 5% of GDP.
Trump is the first sitting U.S. president to attend a World Cup final on home soil, but his presence was overshadowed by the crowd's reaction and the ongoing political tensions.
“Trump arrived at MetLife Stadium on Marine One and sat with Infantino in a glassed-in VIP section as Spain defeated Argentina. Sánchez used an interview that day to congratulate Trump on the US' 250th anniversary, while Milei skipped the final due to a superstition.”
The Independent
Euronews.com
The Guardian
