Jeers at the July 20 presentation underscored political tensions around the expanded 48-team 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were booed during the World Cup trophy ceremony on July 20, turning the presentation into a visible flashpoint between politics and football at the close of the 2026 tournament. The competition was the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams and was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Infantino, FIFA president since 2016, has faced criticism over the expansion from 32 teams to 48, a change he framed as making the tournament more inclusive but that some critics saw as a bid to generate more broadcast and sponsorship revenue. Trump’s appearance carried added weight because the United States was the primary host nation and his administration had embraced the World Cup as a showcase for American soft power.