U.S. President Donald Trump straight-up crashed the World Cup trophy lift on July 19, turning the post-match presentation into an even crazier spectacle than it already was, all after Spain clinched a 1,0 extra-time thriller over Argentina. FIFA wanted a massive finish for its World Cup final, and they got it, complete with a star-studded halftime show and a post-match scene nobody saw coming.
FIFA Got Its Spectacle, For Better or Worse
This World Cup was FIFA’s biggest ever, no question. We’re talking 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host cities. They handed out a whopping $655 million in prize money, which is 50% more than what they paid out in 2022. And talk about making bank: FIFA predicted $11 billion in revenue, but that number is reportedly closer to $15 billion. Wow. They put the final at MetLife Stadium outdoors, betting big on good weather in the U.S. cultural capital. And despite a recent heat wave, wildfire smoke making the air quality rough, and even flooding around New York and New Jersey, they actually got an 80-degree afternoon with a moderate air quality reading. Trump’s first appearance at the World Cup meant long security lines for media, with some waiting over three hours, and photographers even got error messages trying to scan in. What a mess just to get inside!
The Shows Blew Past Limits, But Not Everyone Got In
FIFA really went all out on the entertainment, saving their most elaborate show for the final. The pre-match ceremony featured Post Malone and IShowSpeed, with Jennifer Hudson belting out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Tom Cruise and Chris Martin even gave speeches. Then came FIFA’s first World Cup final halftime show, and it was a packed house of talent. Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira, and Burna Boy all performed. They even had appearances from the Muppets and “Ted Lasso” stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt. Dancers held up flags and banners spelling out L,O,V,E. But get this, that surface-level multiculturalism only lasted about 12 minutes. The *entire* halftime show took over 27 minutes, which totally blew past the 15-minute limit set by international soccer rules.
Trump’s Photo Bomb and Those Wild Ticket Prices
After Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Ferran Torres finally ended Messi and Argentina’s World Cup dreams, a giant golden trophy appeared on a purple-and-gold stage. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, leaders from the three host nations, and Spanish King Felipe VI were all there. But the real drama unfolded when Trump, who was putting medals on both Messi and Yamal, then tried to get into the trophy lift photo-op. Infantino literally tried to wave him away, even briskly crossing the stage. Trump totally ignored his gestures until *after* Spain lifted the trophy, then turned his back to the cameras, gave Infantino a side-hug, and walked off as gold confetti rained down. And if you think that’s wild, consider this: the average ticket price for this World Cup final was $11,327, making it the most expensive sporting event in U.S. history, even topping the 2024 Super Bowl. Secondary market tickets were around $10,000 on Saturday before falling to about $7,500. Insane.
So yeah, FIFA got its massive finish alright. A huge win for Spain, a ton of cash, and a final that was unforgettable for way more reasons than just the game. What a way to cap off the biggest World Cup we’ve ever seen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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