A body language expert has shared his interpretation of why President Donald Trump remained on stage as Spain celebrated its 2026 FIFA World Cup victory, suggesting the moment may have been more than a simple misunderstanding.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday night’s final in New Jersey, with Argentina finishing the match with 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off following a second yellow card. The defending champions failed to register a shot on target until the closing moments of extra time, when they mounted a late push that fell just short.
While the action on the pitch captivated football fans, several moments away from the game also sparked widespread discussion online. A star-studded halftime show divided opinion, while Trump’s appearance during the trophy presentation quickly became one of the evening’s biggest talking points.
After helping FIFA President Gianni Infantino present the World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri, Trump remained alongside the team as they prepared to lift the trophy. Television cameras appeared to show Infantino subtly encouraging the president to step aside before the celebrations began.
Speaking to UNILAD via Casino.ca, body language expert Mark Bowden offered his interpretation of the interactions on stage.
“Throughout the line, players from both sides, including the victorious Spaniards, clearly preferred to spend more time with the FIFA president, with whom they were much more jovial, physically comfortable and celebratory than with President Trump,” Bowden said.
“It is clear who is most valuable in that lineup to them. They were clearly more ‘Team FIFA’ than ‘Team Trump.'”
Bowden also pointed to Trump’s handshakes with players, noting that they differed from the president’s well-known greeting style.
“Again, and of note, Trump makes no attempt to pull any of these players off balance, completely breaking from his purposeful, signature handshake routine,” he said.
“The absence of his usual handshake really illustrates how this signature Trump move to pull others off balance is a conscious choice for him.”
Discussing the trophy presentation itself, Bowden said he believed FIFA intentionally emphasized equal status between Trump and Infantino as they carried the trophy together.
“The FIFA president and Trump present it equally together, with both men placing both hands on the trophy at the exact same time and carrying it together, a clear demand from FIFA that the status be shared,” he said.
Bowden also offered his interpretation of why Trump remained on stage after handing over the trophy.
“After the presentation, the FIFA president tries to direct Trump to move away from the team and out of frame for the final celebratory photo,” he said.
“However, Trump lingers on the edge of the group just as the final glitter cannons go off for the celebration still shot that will be shown across the world.
“By doing so, Trump manages to get a chance to remain in the final, iconic photograph.”
Neither Trump nor FIFA has publicly commented on the interaction, and Bowden’s analysis reflects his professional interpretation of the body language displayed during the ceremony.
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