Spain’s World Cup photo edited: Trump removed after trophy moment
La Roja has published their official World Cup-winning photo without Donald Trump, after his controversial appearance on the podium on July 19. The image, captioned ‘Dreams come true’, shows the full team celebrating with the trophy, but the former U.S. president is nowhere to be seen. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final, capping a five-game winning streak ahead of their next fixture against England on September 26.
What happened on the World Cup podium?
The moment unfolded after Gianni Infantino handed the trophy to Rodri. Trump, who had shaken hands with the players, positioned himself at the center of the podium during the celebrations. Infantino reportedly tried to discreetly move him aside before stepping back to let the team pose. Trump ended up standing to the side of the group, though his presence was erased from the official photo released by the Spanish FA.
The edited image sparked immediate reactions online. One Reddit user joked: “How long until Trump declares war on Spain over this?”, while another asked: “Is this filter available for everyday life?”. Some criticized the move, calling Trump “the guy who inserts himself everywhere he doesn’t belong”, while others praised it as a respectful nod to the team’s historic moment.
Why did Spain remove Trump from the photo?
The RFEF has not issued an official statement explaining the edit. Analysts suggest two possible reasons: first, to avoid political distractions during a sporting celebration; second, to emphasize team unity after a global triumph. Spain, which closed the World Cup with five straight wins, aims to project a cohesive image as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including the friendly against England in September.
The decision echoes past incidents where national teams edited official photos to exclude controversial figures. In 2018, Russia’s squad removed a Ukrainian politician from a team photo. For Spain, Trump’s absence from the image reinforces the focus on the sporting achievement, not external incidents.
What’s next for La Roja?
After lifting the World Cup, Spain faces a tough schedule. Their next test is the friendly against England in London on September 26, a key match to gauge the team’s form before the next qualification phase. With five consecutive wins under their belt, the side managed by Luis de la Fuente remains unbeaten, a streak unseen in decades.
The team, which has conceded just one goal in the World Cup, continues to add to its list of records. Defensive solidity and leadership from players like Rodri, Balde, and Yamal stand out. La Roja, now with the trophy in their cabinet, looks ahead without distractions. The photo edit is just one small detail in an historic campaign.
