In the aftermath of Spain's victory over Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, Donald Trump praised the Spanish national soccer team's performance and dismissed any diplomatic tensions with Madrid. The final match took place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Spain claimed a 1-0 victory during extra time.
Returning to Washington aboard Air Force One, Trump addressed the media at Joint Base Andrews. He shared his thoughts on the match, stating, "Spain played better, honestly. Both teams did well, but Spain seemed to dominate. It was a very close game, so it was fantastic."
In a speech delivered in English, he reiterated, "I think both played well. It appeared Spain was in control, but it was a tight match, which made it a great event."
Trump was also present at the award ceremony, handing over the World Cup to Spain's captain, Rodri Hernández, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This ceremony, witnessed by 82,500 spectators, went viral as Trump lingered on stage after presenting the trophy, while the Spanish players waited for him to step aside. Infantino attempted to guide him off the stage, a moment widely discussed on social media.
Diplomatic Dynamics Post-Match
Trump's comments on U.S.-Spain relations drew as much attention as the game itself. "I spoke with Spain and congratulated them on having a great team. I’ve talked to a lot of people," he remarked. He further emphasized, "I have no tension with anyone."
This was a stark contrast to his earlier statements. Just 12 days before, during a NATO summit in Ankara, Trump had criticized Spain as a "lost cause" and a "terrible ally," even suggesting the cessation of bilateral trade.
The tensions were rooted in Spain's refusal, under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP as demanded by Washington and the denial of U.S. military access to bases in Rota and Morón for operations against Iran. Spain had also closed its airspace to U.S. aircraft involved in that conflict.
Unexpected Reconciliation at MetLife
On the day of the final, Trump met Sánchez again, this time in a vastly different atmosphere. In the MetLife Stadium VIP box, Trump shook hands with the Spanish leader, as well as with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.
He also shared the box with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, representing the other host nations of the tournament.
This meeting followed Spain's second World Cup triumph, secured by Ferrán Torres's goal in the 106th minute of extra time, 16 years after their first win in South Africa in 2010.
The Scale of the 2026 World Cup
Trump seized the opportunity to highlight the success of the tournament hosted by North America. "There has never been anything like it, probably in terms of events, let alone soccer," he claimed.
He went on to quantify, "It was four times bigger than any other FIFA has held. And they tell me, perhaps five times, in fact," though he did not specify the criteria for comparison.
The former president also hinted at a potential solo U.S. bid for a future World Cup, joking about possibly excluding Canada and Mexico as partners.
In closing, Trump expressed pride in the event's impact, saying the World Cup showcased the U.S. in a new light and demonstrated that visitors from around the world could "fall in love" with the country.
Key Insights into Trump's World Cup Involvement
What was Trump's reaction to Spain's victory in the 2026 World Cup?
Trump praised Spain's performance, stating they played better and deserved the win, while also highlighting the event's success.
How did Trump address diplomatic tensions with Spain?
Trump dismissed any diplomatic issues with Spain, emphasizing that he had no tensions with anyone, despite previous criticisms.
Who did Trump meet during the World Cup final?
At the MetLife Stadium, Trump met with Spanish leaders King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, as well as leaders from Mexico and Canada.