US President Donald Trump will attend the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19 and present the trophy to the winners, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Tuesday.
“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino told Fox and Friends.Infantino has cultivated a close relationship with Trump, awarding him with a newly created FIFA peace prize at the World Cup draw in Washington last year.
The decision to present the trophy jointly follows the controversy surrounding the presentation of the Club World Cup to English club Chelsea after their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey last year.
Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, but then failed to leave the stage meaning he initially took part in the team’s celebrations alongside bemused players.
