The 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded Sunday with Spain defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time, but the championship match generated headlines that extended well beyond the action on the pitch. As Spain prepared to lift the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium, President Donald Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the presentation ceremony.
The appearance was met with audible boos and jeers from portions of the crowd, although Trump continued waving to fans as he took the stage. At one point, Infantino appeared to gesture for the president to step aside so the Spanish players could celebrate their victory.
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The trophy presentation capped a championship that blurred the lines between sports and entertainment. FIFA staged its first-ever World Cup halftime show, with performances from Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and Shakira during the 11-minute production. Curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, the show marked one of the biggest live entertainment spectacles ever produced for the tournament.
Celebrity appearances were woven throughout the broadcast. Tom Cruise opened the final with a speech celebrating football’s ability to unite cultures, while Robbie Williams performed FIFA’s official anthem Desire alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini. Matt Damon, Will Ferrell, Pharrell Williams, Post Malone and iShowSpeed were also among the high-profile attendees and performers throughout the event.
Earlier in the day, Trump told Fox News he once believed the United States was “not a soccer country,” but said the tournament had changed his mind. “It turns out we are a soccer country,” Trump said. “I don’t think there’s ever been anything like what’s happened with the whole World Cup. It’s been beautiful to watch.”
The final also renewed attention on Trump’s relationship with FIFA. Earlier in the tournament, he revealed he had called Infantino to ask him to review a red card suspension involving U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, though the United States was ultimately eliminated by Belgium.
Sunday’s championship brought an end to FIFA’s expanded 48-team tournament, one that combined elite competition with blockbuster entertainment and celebrity appearances, underscoring the increasingly close relationship between global sports, live events and pop culture.
