Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy; Javier Milei skips final due to superstition

U.S. President Donald Trump is slated to be a central figure at the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, between Spain and Argentina. He is not only expected to attend the match but also to present the coveted World Cup trophy to the winning team, a plan initially announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

This gesture follows a recent precedent set in 2022 when the Emir of Qatar presented the trophy to Argentina. Similarly, in 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the award ceremony after France's victory. Trump himself has prior experience with presenting trophies at major sporting events, having awarded the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea last year at the same New Jersey stadium.

Trump's appearance at the 2023 Club World Cup final reportedly drew mixed reactions, with loud boos heard from the crowd during the award ceremony. Despite not attending any matches in the current tournament, Trump was indirectly involved in a controversial episode when he reportedly contacted FIFA President Infantino to appeal the suspension of American player Folarin Balogun. The player's suspension was eventually overturned, fueling discussions about political influence surrounding the US team, which was later eliminated from the competition.

In contrast to Trump's prominent role, Argentinian President Javier Milei has opted to skip the final. Citing superstition, Milei believes his presence at the match might disrupt the rituals he feels have brought his team good luck. He prefers to watch from home, prioritizing his team's perceived fortune over attending the high-profile event.

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He will participate in the award ceremony, and will hand over the trophy to the winning team.