Latest Breaking News

Trump, who was booed by a significant number of fans here at MetLife Stadium as he walked onstage for the postgame ceremony, initially carried the trophy to James alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Then, in a departure from previous soccer tournaments, Trump remained standing next to James. After a brief exchange of words between the two and Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez — and with others, including Cole Palmer, confused behind them — James lifted the trophy with Trump still front and center, and Infantino a few places away.

"Before, they told me he was going to present the trophy, and then exit the stage," James said of Trump afterward. "I thought that he was gonna exit the stage. But I think he wanted to stay."

Palmer, speaking at a postgame news conference, said: "I knew [Trump] was going to be here, but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand where we lift the trophy, so I was a bit confused."

Trump clapped and smiled, then hugged and shook hands with Infantino, as Chelsea players jumped up and down. The two presidents then moved to the back of the stage, and eventually exited, as Chelsea players lifted the trophy again and again, with a fireworks show continuing behind them.

It is standard for the head of state of a World Cup host country to be involved in trophy presentations. But typically, they give victorious players the stage to themselves for the trophy lift.