A body language expert has given his opinion on why Donald Trump didn’t move after presenting Spain with the World Cup Trophy following yesterday’s final in New Jersey.

Spain emerged victorious after extra-time in a match that saw Argentina reduced to ten-men after Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card. Argentina failed to lodge a single effort on goal for 117 minutes, only to defiantly rally in the dying seconds of extra-time to produce a nail-biting finish.

Yet the events occurring outside of the actual game itself gained almost as much attention online as the football did. A predictably extravagant half-time show divided opinion among internet denizens, while President Donald Trump’s involvement in the trophy ceremony didn’t fail to produce any number of talking points.

Arguably chief among them was Trump’s decision to linger close to the Spain team as they prepared to lift the World Cup Trophy. Having handed the trophy to Spain captain Rodri, he could be seen hovering at the side of the stage, eventually having to be subtly steered away by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Speaking to UNILAD, body language expert Mark Bowden commented about what people’s body language on the stage could mean for the interactions via casino.ca.

“Throughout the line, players from both sides, including the victorious Spaniards, clearly preferred to spend more time with the FIFA President with whom they were much more jovial and physically comfortable and celebratory than with President Trump,” he told UNILAD.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 19: Donald Trump, president of the United States of America, and Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, carry the FIFA World Cup trophy to players of Spain after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“It is clear who is most valuable in that lineup to them, they were clearly more ‘Team FIFA’ than ‘Team Trump’!”

He also touched upon Trump’s manner of handshake, a tool the president is purported to often use to attempt to assert his dominance.

“Again and of note, Trump makes no attempt to pull any of these players off balance, completely breaking from his purposeful, signature handshake routine,” Bowden said, as per UNILAD.

“The absence of his usual handshake really illustrates how this signature Trump move to pull others off balance is a conscious choice for him.”

The body language specialist also commented on Trump’s behavior as he handed the World Cup Trophy to Spain captain Rodri.

“Finally, the World Cup trophy is presented,” he said. “The FIFA President and Trump present it equally together, with both men placing both hands on the trophy at the exact same time and carrying it together, a clear demand from FIFA that the status be shared.”

Of Trump’s apparent decision to remain on the stage for the moment Spain lifted the trophy, Bowen added: “After the presentation, the FIFA President tries to direct Trump to move away from the team and out of frame for the final celebratory photo.

“However, Trump lingers on the edge of the group just as the final glitter cannons go off for the celebration still shot that will be shown across the world.

“By doing so, Trump manages to get a chance to remain in the final, iconic photograph.”