2026 World Cup: Who Is the Only Player Who Didn’t Shake Hands with Donald Trump?
Awkward moments for U.S. President Donald Trump during the awards ceremony following the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. As he entered the field a few minutes after the final whistle, Trump was met with a barrage of boos and jeers from Spanish and Argentine fans, just like FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The second awkward moment came during the medal ceremony. As the Argentine players paraded past, a defender—Cristian Romero, formerly of Atalanta and Genoa—snubbed the U.S. president, blatantly ignoring Trump’s outstretched hand and walking right past him as he proceeded along the line of dignitaries. Cuti was the only player who did not shake hands with the president: Argentine media initially reported that Lisandro Martinez had also refused, but he actually did greet the tycoon. All the Spanish players shook hands with Trump as expected.
The third awkward moment came during Spain’s celebration: after presenting the World Cup to Rodri, Trump lingered on stage and stood in front of the team for a few seconds, with an embarrassed Infantino asking him to step aside. Eventually, Trump—partly at Rodri’s urging—stepped aside to allow Spain to celebrate and take the customary photos. Infantino remained by his side the entire time.
Among the other controversies surrounding the ceremony, it’s also worth noting the attitude of the entire Argentine team during Spain’s award ceremony. While the Spanish players paraded to receive their medals and prepared to lift the Cup, all the players and coaching staff of the Albiceleste remained facing the opposite direction, pointedly turning their backs on the winners. This gesture sparked harsh reactions on social media, with comments calling it “the very definition of anti-soccer and a lack of sportsmanship,” while Argentine fans responded by claiming the match was stolen and that Spain was an unworthy world champion. Messi and his teammates, who had just moments earlier received the traditional “pasillo de honor” from the Spanish players, thus completely ignored their opponents’ award ceremony.
