Trump Gets Chilly Reception at FIFA World Cup Final

President Trump was met with loud boos Sunday when he helped present the medals after Spain’s national football team defeated Argentina 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup final.

Trump appeared thrilled to be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. But his visit got off to a rough start.

The jeers began when he appeared on the stadium’s jumbo screen after Jennifer Hudson’s rousing performance of the national anthem.

He watched the championship match in a private suite with first lady Melania Trump. They were seated next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, and other dignitaries.

After Spain clinched the title in overtime, Trump headed for the field to help present the medals alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Video aired by Fox Sports showed the smiling U.S. president waving to the crowd as he made his way to the pitch. The crowd responded with loud boos.

Making the situation even more awkward, Trump voiced support for Argentina before the match started. In a pre-match interview with a Fox Sports reporter, he suggested Argentina soccer legend Lionel Messi would take the title.

“I knew you were going to ask,” Trump told the reporter.

“I hate to get involved, even though politically, it doesn’t matter so much,” he said. “I would say that it’s hard to bet against Messi… I won’t pick sides. I just think it’s very hard to bet against Messi. He’s great.”

Messi’s team suffered a crushing defeat, leaving Trump to congratulate their opponents. After being presented with the championship trophy, the Spanish players chanted “champions” in Spanish.

Trump shook the players’ hands and appeared reluctant to leave the stage. At one point, a player standing in the front row placed a hand on his shoulder, in what some on social media called a gesture for the president to move along. Spain cropped Trump out of the team’s official victory photo.

The chilly reception he received was in contrast to the warm welcome former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama received earlier this year when they attended an NBA All-Star game.

During their appearance at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, in February, the Obamas were greeted with cheers and applause from fans as they sat courtside.