Seth Meyers Calls Trump 'The Sports Reaper' After World Cup Trophy Presentation Drama

Late-night host Seth Meyers characterized President Donald Trump as "The Sports Reaper" following the disputed handling of photographs from the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, where FIFA's official accounts and the White House released competing versions of the trophy presentation.

The Photo Dispute

FIFA's official social media posts showing Spain's victory over Argentina appeared to exclude both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino from the frame. The Spanish team's own Instagram post immediately after the match also omitted the president. However, the White House released six photographs from the event on Monday afternoon, with Trump prominently featured in most—including two images where he was the sole focus of the camera, while only two photos included members of the Spanish team.

The Trophy Presentation Controversy

The ceremony itself drew criticism from commentators who observed an awkward dynamic between Trump, Infantino, and the celebrating players. Australian commentator Claudio Fabiano was caught on microphone predicting the edit would occur, saying, "They're gonna edit him out of that." The crowd booed when Trump and Infantino took the field, though one Spanish player performed Trump's signature dance move while the president was on stage. Infantino appeared to guide Trump away from the team as they lifted the trophy and confetti cannons activated.

This was not the first such incident. During the Club World Cup trophy presentation the previous year, a similar dynamic unfolded when Trump and Infantino presented the award to Chelsea. Captain Reece James later said he was told Trump would "present the trophy, and then exit the stage," while teammate Cole Palmer admitted he was "a bit confused" by what transpired.

Broader Context

The tension between FIFA leadership and the American president reflects deeper concerns within the sports community. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter called the organization a "dictatorship" in February and accused Infantino of being "submissive" to Trump and seeking his favor ahead of the United States hosting the 2026 tournament. Critics have suggested that Infantino has cultivated a close relationship with the incoming administration, raising questions about the organization's independence and decision-making processes.