Trump May Break FIFA Protocol at World Cup Final Award Ceremony

U.S. President Donald Trump could create an unusual moment at the 2026 World Cup final by potentially deviating from FIFA's established protocol for trophy presentation. British media outlet talkSPORT reports that FIFA may grant Trump permission to directly hand the World Cup trophy to the captain of the victorious team.

Furthermore, the report indicates that Trump might be allowed to remain with the players during their celebration on the podium. This scenario would mark a significant departure from the customary ceremony, which typically involves the trophy being displayed on a pedestal before being brought to the stage by a member of the winning squad.

A similar situation occurred at the Club World Cup, where Trump stood alongside Chelsea's Reece James as the team lifted the trophy. Initially, FIFA President Gianni Infantino appeared to try and distance Trump from the ceremony before ultimately appearing to accept his presence.

According to the publication, FIFA's standard protocol dictates that the trophy remains stationary until it is presented to the champions. However, for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium, the decision regarding Trump's participation in the presentation appears to be at his discretion.