Donald Trump’s astonishing return to the White House has sent shockwaves across the world this week – including among America’s soccer community.
The 78-year-old has been re-elected as president after a resounding victory over Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election, bringing him back into power four years after his defeat to Joe Biden.
While critics have disagreed with his stance on issues such as abortion, and plan to deport millions of illegal migrants, soccer fans are furious because he will be in power for the 2026 World Cup being held in the United States.
Mexico and Canada are also co-hosting the world’s biggest sporting event, yet the final will take place in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in the US.
This means that Trump is odds-on to accept the honor of presenting the World Cup trophy to the winners of the competition on Sunday 19 July, 2026.
Donald Trump will likely present the 2026 World Cup trophy after his re-election as president
But that prospect has not gone down well with woke soccer fans.
‘Extremely s****y that Donald Trump is going to be the guy who hands out the trophy at the World Cup final,’ one said on X.
‘Wtf,’ another user posted. ‘I ain’t ready for that!’
A third commented: ‘Are you kidding me?! FIFA of course…’
While one simply said: ‘ugh’.
The first and only time the United States has hosted a World Cup, back in 1994, saw then-president Bill Clinton choose not to attend the final between Brazil and Italy in California.
Instead, vice president Al Gore had the honor of presenting Brazilian captain Dunga with the trophy at the Rose Bowl.
Trump, however, will be expected to attend the final at MetLife Stadium and take on ceremonial duties after the match himself.
The all-important final of soccer’s famous international tournament is set to be held in the US
Trump handing out the trophy in New Jersey would not be the first time politics has caused a stir at the World Cup.
Back in 2022, the captains of seven nations were set to wear rainbow armbands in support of the LGBTQ+ movement at the Qatar World Cup, only to ditch those plans after facing heat from FIFA.
The governing body threatened teams with sporting sanctions if they wore the armbands during games, a move which sparked major controversy at the time.
The chances of Trump presenting the World Cup trophy look certain after he met with FIFA president Gianna Infantino multiple times during his first term to discuss the tournament.
The pair also held talks about opening FIFA headquarters in the USA – which they did in 2023.
‘Congratulations Mr President!’ Infantino wrote on Instagram on Wednesday morning after his re-election.
‘We will have a great FIFA World Cup and a great FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America! Football Unites the World!’
