FIFA and the Spanish national team have come under attention after removing United States President Donald Trump from official photographs of Spain’s FIFA World Cup trophy celebrations, prompting a swift response from the White House.

Trump presented the World Cup trophy and winners’ medals to Spain after their victory over Argentina in the final. He remained on the podium as the Spanish players lifted the trophy before FIFA President Gianni Infantino ushered him away to allow the team to celebrate, with several original images capturing the US president alongside the newly crowned champions.

However, official photos later shared by Spain and FIFA showed edited versions of the trophy-lifting moment, with Trump absent from the images. FIFA’s published photographs also omitted Infantino from the celebration shots.

The White House responded by releasing a series of photographs and a video on social media showing Trump celebrating with the Spanish players during the presentation ceremony. Some of the images focused exclusively on the US president as he stood with the champions.

The presentation marked the second consecutive year Trump had awarded a major football trophy at the same venue, having also presented Chelsea with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy a year earlier.

His prolonged presence on the podium attracted widespread attention from broadcasters and football commentators, while sections of the crowd reportedly booed as he walked onto the pitch before the medal ceremony. Despite the mixed reception, several Spanish players appeared relaxed during the celebration, with some performing the popular “Trump dance” while the president stood beside them.

Speaking after the final, Trump congratulated the Spanish team and praised the tournament.

“They both played well. I would say Spain played better. It was very exciting. It looked like Spain dominated, but it was a very close match,” he said.

The US president also described the FIFA World Cup as one of the world’s premier sporting events, saying the tournament had showcased the United States positively to millions of visitors and viewers around the globe.