Spain star calls out Donald Trump and confirms if he’ll shake his hand at World Cup final

Spain striker Borja Iglesias has made his feelings about Donald Trump plain ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey, confirming he will shake the US President’s hand despite deep personal reservations. The MetLife Stadium showdown between Spain and Argentina will be the first time Trump has attended any match during the tournament, and he is expected to hand the trophy to the winning captain at full-time. Iglesias, who has been used sparingly in Qatar, framed the moment as a matter of protocol rather than principle.

Protocol over principle

Iglesias told Spanish media that he will greet Trump out of “politeness,” even though what his instincts tell him differ from what he should do. “There’s a protocol and a commitment to fulfill out of politeness, even though what my gut tells me to do differs from what I should do,” he said. The striker’s comments follow his long-standing criticism of Trump’s stance on “fundamental values,” a phrase he used to describe the President’s record. Iglesias added that he hopes the encounter will be brief and that he can move on quickly, telling reporters: “I don’t want to go to prison.”

His remarks underscore the tension between sporting decorum and personal conviction. Iglesias has not shied away from speaking out on social issues, from homophobia in football to his support for pro-Palestine protests. Earlier this year, he criticised former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales after Rubiales was convicted of sexual assault for kissing a player following the Women’s World Cup final. Now, with the World Cup trophy in sight, Iglesias finds himself navigating a diplomatic handshake that carries more weight than most.

Trump’s unusual tournament absence

Trump’s attendance in New Jersey breaks a pattern of total absence from the 2026 World Cup’s group and knockout stages. The US President has not been spotted at any prior matches, making his presence in the final box-office news in itself. His role as trophy presenter adds symbolic weight to the fixture, which pits two footballing heavyweights against each other for the first time in a World Cup decider. Spain, winners of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, are bidding to claim a second title, while Argentina will be desperate to retain their crown.

The setting at MetLife Stadium, a venue synonymous with American sporting spectacle, only sharpens the contrast between the on-field drama and the off-field politics. Iglesias’ reluctance to engage with the moment reflects broader unease among players and fans about mixing sport with geopolitical symbolism. Yet the striker’s decision to comply with protocol—however reluctantly—sends its own signal about the limits of individual protest in a global spectacle.

The player behind the politics

At 32, Iglesias is no stranger to controversy. His outspokenness has made him a polarising figure in Spanish football, admired by some for his willingness to challenge authority and criticised by others for overstepping the traditional boundaries of a footballer’s role. His comments about Trump come just months after he publicly backed protests linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, further staking a claim as a player who views the pitch as part of a wider social arena.

Despite his limited minutes in Qatar, Iglesias has used his platform to amplify causes beyond football. His stance on Rubiales’ conviction—delivered in the immediate aftermath of the case—showed a readiness to confront institutional power when he sees injustice. Now, with the World Cup final looming, he faces a different kind of confrontation: a handshake with a global leader whose policies he has roundly criticised. The moment is less about football and more about the collision of sport, politics, and personal ethics.

Iglesias’ admission that he lacks the power to “tackle certain things” is a rare moment of humility from a player who has built a reputation on speaking his mind. It also hints at the quiet pressure athletes face when their principles collide with the ceremonial obligations of their sport. Whether the handshake happens on Sunday remains to be seen, but Iglesias has already made clear that his compliance will be reluctant, his relief palpable once it is over.

As the final whistle approaches, the world will watch not only the result but the gestures that follow. For Iglesias, the greatest victory may be putting the handshake behind him—and returning to the simplicity of playing the game he loves.