A WWE Hall of Famer found himself at the center of attention during the FIFA World Cup Final, but not for the reason many expected. He was met with boos from sections of the crowd before kickoff when he was shown on the screens.
Donald Trump, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Celebrity Wing in 2013, attended the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He remains one of the most polarizing figures in sports and politics. The current President of the United States holds a unique place in pro wrestling history, having been involved in several memorable storylines, most famously his rivalry with Vince McMahon that culminated in the Battle of the Billionaires at WrestleMania 23. He also hosted multiple WWE WrestleMania events at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City in the late 1980s.
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Trump’s mainstream visibility consistently brings massive attention, though that reception is far from universally positive. Fans across different sports frequently voice their displeasure when the 80-year-old makes unannounced stadium appearances. This exact scenario played out yesterday during the biggest global soccer match on the planet.
The U.S. President watched the final between Spain and Argentina from a glass-enclosed VIP suite alongside First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Before the highly anticipated match kicked off, Donald Trump appeared on the giant stadium jumbotrons. Moments after Jennifer Hudson finished performing the national anthem, loud boos broke out around the venue. The negative reaction did not end there. After Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump walked onto the pitch to present the World Cup trophy to the champions. As he made his way onto the field, the boos grew even louder.
According to White House pool reporters, the ambient crowd noise increased from 78 decibels to 84 decibels during Trump’s on-field introduction, with the rise attributed to the crowd’s reaction.
WWE Hall of Famer had already been booed at major sporting events before World Cup Final
The negative reaction Donald Trump received at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final was not the only incident. The WWE Hall of Famer has drawn similar responses from crowds at several major sporting events over the past year.
Last month, Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, where he was met with loud boos from fans in attendance. The game ended in disappointment for the home crowd as the New York Knicks fell to the San Antonio Spurs. He also received a hostile reception last November during an NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions, where the home team lost 44-22.
Despite the repeated negative reactions from fans, the US President continues to attend high-profile championship games.
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Edited by Neda Ali
