Donald Trump has been given the green light to join the FIFA World Cup trophy lift – just as he did in controversial fashion at last summer's Club World Cup, where he stayed on stage with Chelsea after handing over the trophy
Donald Trump could perform a similar action this summer (Image: Getty Images)
Donald Trump has been granted permission to participate in the World Cup trophy presentation - just as he did in contentious circumstances at last summer's FIFA Club World Cup.
The USA, who are staging the majority of this summer's fixtures , also hosted the club tournament 12 months ago, which Chelsea claimed. When the president handed the trophy to Reece James, he declined to leave the stage, instead remaining in position and becoming part of the celebrations.
FIFA has no issue with him repeating that approach , reports talkSPORT, despite it breaking customary protocol. FIFA tradition typically sees the trophy remain on a plinth before being collected by a member of the victorious squad for the celebration podium.
FIFA president GIanni Infantino shows off World Cup to Donald Trump in the Oval Office last year (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Sources suggest that FIFA will allow Trump to decide whether he wishes to remain with the team during the presentation or depart and observe the ceremony. Those within the White House believe Trump will once again opt to celebrate alongside the winning side.
The US president has already been informed that FIFA want him to present the World Cup trophy to the eventual winners. Mexican and Canadian representatives will be invited to feature at the closing ceremony, reports the Mirror .
Trump's choice to stay with the Chelsea squad last year following their triumph over PSG created some uncomfortable scenes, many of which were caught on camera. Trump presented the trophy to James but, rather than depart as would be anticipated, lingered around.
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The Blues' skipper, when last questioned about the incident, confessed his surprise. He stated: "Answering your question, before, they told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage, and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay."
Cole Palmer, who netted twice in the final at MetLife Stadium, later admitted: "I knew he was going to be here but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes."
Trump was notably absent at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for the USA's opening World Cup match, which they comfortably won against Paraguay. His non-attendance was due to a "tight schedule", according to White House executive director, Andrew Giuliani.