Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni Infantino

Donald Trump is slated to present the World Cup trophy to the tournament's winners on July 19, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This marks a significant role for the former U.S. president in a major international sporting event.

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We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course.

Infantino confirmed the plan in an interview with Fox and Friends, stating, "We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course." Trump's involvement follows his appearance at last year's Club World Cup final, held at the same venue, then known as MetLife Stadium.

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Of course, we are together all the time.

During the Club World Cup ceremony, Trump remained on the winners' podium after presenting the trophy to Chelsea's Reece James. This decision caused some bewilderment among the players. "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," James recounted afterward.

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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.

Teammate Cole Palmer also expressed surprise, stating, "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." The FIFA president indicated that he and Trump would make the presentation together, adding, "Of course, we are together all the time."

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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.