FIFA Crops Trump Out Of World Cup Photo—White House Adds Him Back In

Donald Trump was cropped out of celebratory photographs by Fifa after the US president crashed the World Cup celebrations – but the White House shared a series of pictures Monday afternoon that all prominently feature the president.

Trump took centre stage alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino to congratulate the Spanish players after their 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina on Sunday night, before presenting the trophy to winning captain Rodri.

The Manchester City midfielder waited to lift the trophy and was trying to usher Trump out of the way before turning around to celebrate with his team-mates, despite the president remaining stood in full view at the front of the stage.

But the official Fifa account on X posted a celebratory image, from which they had appeared to crop Trump out of shot.

In a post on X, the Fifa World Cup account also cropped out winning manager Luis de la Fuente, although the coach did feature in the one that was displayed by the Spain men’s national team account.

The Spanish Football Federation also used an image that omitted Trump, which was taken seconds after he had finally walked away with Infantino.

Spanish media hits out at Argentine antics

The Spanish media focused on Argentina’s reaction to Spain’s victory in Sunday’s final during a post-match ceremony that was packed with diplomatic incidents.

After several players, including goalkeeper Unai Simón, had seemed reluctant to accept a hearty handshake from Trump, the US president then appeared determined to remain centre stage for the trophy lift.

Finally, Trump, who had sidled up to Spain captain Rodri as he prepared to hoist the trophy, slowly moved to one side of the Spanish team.

“Bravo Rodri, he held on and held on with his sacred balls until Trump got out of the picture,” said Dani Garrido, football commentator for Spain’s Cadena SER radio station.

“That takes a lot of personality, bravo to Rodri. It’s no joke. We see people in photographs who shouldn’t be there, and he stayed until the end, until Trump stepped out of the frame, because he clearly wanted to be in the picture. And when he left, he lifted the World Cup.”

President Trump notoriously stood in the middle of the shot next to Chelsea captain Reece James during the trophy lift at the Club World Cup last summer.

Spain’s squad were happier to let King Felipe VI of Spain join the celebrations with the cup, and the monarch will receive the players in Madrid this afternoon before they board the open-top bus for a tour of the city. (The Telegraph)