Luis de la Fuente details bizarre World Cup medal ceremony with Trump

Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente has revealed that his limited English prevented him from understanding everything US President Donald Trump said during the 2026 World Cup medal ceremony.

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A humorous podium exchange

Appearing on the Spanish television programme El Hormiguero on Antena 3 to discuss his World Cup triumph and present his book Life is Trained Every Day, the 65 year old manager recounted his interaction with the American president on the podium.

Speaking to host Pablo Motos, De la Fuente joked about his difficulty following the conversation:

"He told me that I deserved the Ballon d'Or and then he said something else but I'm still learning English. In any case, I answered him: 'Thank you very much'"

Insisting on FIFA independence

Beyond the lighthearted podium moment, De la Fuente addressed the broader controversy surrounding Trump's direct involvement during the tournament, notably when the US president successfully lobbied football's governing body to overturn a red card shown to American forward Folarin Balogun.

The Spanish tactician expressed firm reservations regarding political pressure on administrative refereeing matters.

"Football must make its own decisions, independent of external parties.. FIFA must not be influenced by anyone" De la Fuente asserted.

A historic triumph in North America

The medal presentation marked the pinnacle of De la Fuente’s tenure, capping off a remarkable campaign across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Spain clinched the 2026 World Cup title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Argentina national team after extra time in the final.

The triumph secured Spain’s second world championship in their history, following their maiden success at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, cementing De la Fuente's place in international football folklore.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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