On Sunday, Donald Trump exchanged greetings with Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in the VIP box at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The occasion was the final match of the 2026 World Cup, featuring Spain against Argentina.
Captured by the EFE agency, the images revealed the leaders separated from the crowd by a glass barrier in the official tribune. Outside, fans eagerly snapped photos, capturing the historic moment between the leaders.
Spanish media dubbed the handshake as "the most anticipated photo" of the final, underscoring the strained diplomatic relations between Washington and Madrid that preceded this event.
Diplomatic Tensions and the World Cup Backdrop
The diplomatic friction had intensified after Spain refused to allow the use of its Rota and Morón military bases for Operation Epic Fury—a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran launched in February 2026—and had also closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft.
Tensions peaked on July 8 during a NATO summit in Ankara when Trump labeled Spain as "a lost cause" and instructed a halt to bilateral trade, stating, "Spain is a terrible ally in NATO. They don't engage, they don't pay, and I don't want anything to do with Spain."
Nonetheless, only days later, Sánchez claimed to have had a casual conversation with Trump in Ankara about the World Cup, mentioning "kind words and courtesy," and insisted there was "no tension whatsoever."
The Symbolic Handshake
The handshake in the MetLife box was thus imbued with diplomatic symbolism, against the backdrop of the World Cup final.
In addition to Trump and the Spanish delegation, the VIP box featured Melania Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The entire Spanish royal family was present: beyond King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía were also in attendance, having previously celebrated Spain's advance to the final.
Conspicuously absent was Argentine President Javier Milei, who chose to watch the match from Buenos Aires due to "superstitious reasons," despite his national team's participation in the final.
Trump's Role in the World Cup
Trump served as the primary political host of the tournament and, alongside Infantino, presented the trophy to the winning team. Infantino had previously remarked at a reception in Trump Tower that the World Cup "would not have been such an incredible success without you."
This marked Spain's second World Cup final—the first being in 2010 when they claimed the title—and Argentina's sixth, having been the reigning champions since 2022. Trump had described the matchup as a difficult one to predict.
Insights into the Political Dynamics at the World Cup Final
What tensions existed between the U.S. and Spain before the World Cup final?
The tensions stemmed from Spain's refusal to allow the U.S. to use its military bases for Operation Epic Fury and the closure of its airspace to U.S. military flights.
Why was the handshake at the World Cup final significant?
The handshake was significant as it symbolized a possible thaw in the strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Spain, occurring against the backdrop of a major international sporting event.
Who were some of the notable figures present at the VIP box during the final?
The VIP box included Melania Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, along with the Spanish royal family.