Argentina’s Martinez and Romero snub Trump handshake after World Cup final loss to Spain
Argentina’s Lisandro Martínez and Cristian Romero refused to shake hands with United States President Donald Trump during the silver‑medal ceremony after Argentina’s 1‑0 loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 20, 2026. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had placed Trump prominently in the ceremony, with the U.S. president presenting the trophy to Spain’s captain Rodri. Martínez avoided both Infantino and Trump, while Romero shook Infantino’s hand, walked past Trump, and greeted Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney instead. Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni was visibly upset in his post‑match press conference.
The snub highlights growing unease among athletes over mixing high‑profile sport with polarizing politics, especially when a host nation’s leader is given a ceremonial role in a tournament final. It also reflects the broader debate about whether sporting events should remain neutral platforms or become stages for political expression, a debate that has flared after previous World Cups and Olympic games.
What should you think about when athletes use their visibility to make political statements, and how might such gestures affect future hosting decisions for major tournaments?