Coverage Comparison

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will join him in presenting the World Cup trophy at the tournament's final on 19 July. The announcement was reported by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian, all citing Infantino's interview with Fox and Friends.

According to The Guardian, Infantino said: "We will be together with the president, handing the trophy to the winner — of course, together." Al Jazeera reported that Infantino stated the pair would be "enjoying the final, and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together." The Guardian added that when asked if he and Trump would present the trophy together, Infantino responded: "Of course. We are together all the time."

Al Jazeera noted that Infantino has been aiming to attend as many matches as possible at the tournament, attending up to two a day according to The Athletic, citing FIFA sources. However, Trump has yet to attend a match at this year's World Cup, a fact confirmed by both Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

The confirmation follows Trump's participation in the trophy ceremony at last year's Club World Cup final, where he remained on the winners' podium after handing the trophy to Chelsea's Reece James. James later recounted: "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." Chelsea's Cole Palmer also expressed surprise at the President's presence on stage.

The Guardian reports that Infantino and Trump have forged a close relationship in the build-up to the finals, but notes that Trump has barely been seen at the tournament so far. According to The Athletic, citing FIFA sources, Infantino has been aiming to attend as many matches as possible, reportedly up to two a day, while Trump has yet to attend any matches at this year's World Cup.

Key Claims

  • Infantino confirmed in an interview with Fox News that he and Trump will "be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner." This was reported by ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian.
  • Trump participated in the trophy presentation at last year's Club World Cup final, remaining on stage after handing the trophy to Chelsea's Reece James. The Guardian reported that Trump "remained on the winners' podium after handing the trophy to Chelsea's Reece James," and quoted James as saying he could not hear Trump's congratulations due to the noise. Cole Palmer said he was "a bit confused" by Trump's presence on stage.
  • Infantino has been aiming to attend as many matches as possible at the tournament, attending up to two a day, according to The Athletic, citing FIFA sources, as reported by Al Jazeera. Trump has yet to attend any matches at this year's World Cup, a fact noted by both Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Key Claims

  • Infantino confirmed that he and Trump will be together at the final, "enjoying the final, and handing over the trophy to the winner — of course, together" (as quoted by Al Jazeera and ABC).
  • Trump participated in the trophy ceremony at last year's Club World Cup final, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. He remained on stage as Chelsea lifted the trophy, and later the trophy was spotted in the Oval Office, with Chelsea reportedly receiving a replica (as reported by ABC and Al Jazeera).
  • France manager Didier Deschamps will miss his team's final group stage match against Norway following the death of his mother. The French Football Federation announced he will return to France for the funeral (as reported by ABC).
  • FIFA is considering keeping hydration breaks for future World Cups, as reported by ABC.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a sixth different World Cup, setting a record (as reported by ABC).
  • A Paraguayan commentator was banned for an on-air outburst against FIFA and match officials (as reported by ABC).