Why FIFA made exception allowing Donald Trump to present World Cup trophy

The World Cup final will draw eyeballs from across the globe when Spain and Argentina face off on Sunday in New Jersey. 

The conclusion of the World Cup always brings in a massive audience, but the chance to see Lionel Messi compete for a back-to-back title against a Spanish team that has conceded just one goal to this point is particularly enticing. 

Only one team will be able to call itself the world champion when the fanfare is over — and there will be plenty of fanfare, from an unprecedented halftime show to a ceremony featuring U.S. president Donald Trump.

Here's what you need to know about Trump presenting the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium.

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Why Donald Trump is presenting World Cup trophy

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed in June that he and Trump will present the World Cup trophy to the winning team at MetLife Stadium.

"We will be together with the president, enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together," Infantino said. "We are together all the time."

That represents a bit of a break in tradition, as a player from the winning team typically takes the trophy off of a base and walks it up to the podium. This presentation could instead look much like that of the 2025 Club World Cup, when Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea and remained on stage during the celebration.

Infantino, however, said recently that the presentation is nothing new. 

"Hopefully we’ll present the trophy together in the final," the FIFA president said. "That’s always been the plan—and that’s how it’s always been done in the past—for the president of the country hosting the final to present the trophy together with the FIFA president."

In 2022, Qatari head of state Tamin bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was prominently featured in the World Cup trophy presentation alongside Infantino and Messi.

Infantino has a close relationship with Trump, dating back several years. Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize by Infantino at the World Cup draw in December, and Trump was recently in the headlines for speaking to Infantino about USA star Folarin Balogun's controversial red card. 

Trump is also in the unique position of having been president when the United States was awarded the World Cup and president for the playing of the World Cup. The World Cup was awarded during Trump's first term in 2018, and his four years out of office allowed him to have another term that coincides with the tournament. 

MORE: Why some fans think Donald Trump is to blame for USA's World Cup loss

Why is Donald Trump at the World Cup final?

Trump's relationship with Infantino and his well-documented sports fandom are undoubtedly major reasons for his attendance at the World Cup final.

Given the size of the global audience and the chance to present the trophy to the winner, it's no surprise Trump is looking to put himself in front of the cameras as he so often enjoys.

The location is also ideal. Trump decided against attending the Super Bowl in February because it was on the west coast, but MetLife Stadium is just about 40 miles away from Trump's golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will be spending the weekend. After the game, Trump can quickly return to Washington D.C. before the sun even sets.