Spain has photoshopped US President Donald Trump out of official World Cup celebration images after he sparked fury by 'hijacking' the trophy lift on Sunday, July 19, 2026. The edited photographs, released by Spanish media, removed Trump from the scene where he had inserted himself into the team's victory moment.
Trump's Unwanted Presence at the Trophy Lift
According to reports, Trump attended the World Cup final and during the trophy presentation, he stepped onto the podium alongside the Spanish players, grabbing the trophy and lifting it with the team. Spanish fans and officials were outraged, accusing him of using the moment for political gain. The Spanish football federation reportedly requested that official images be altered to exclude Trump.
Photoshopping Out the President
Spanish news outlets published versions of the trophy lift photo with Trump digitally removed, leaving only the Spanish players and officials. The move was widely praised on social media, with many calling it a fitting response to what they saw as an unwelcome intrusion. The original image showed Trump smiling broadly while holding the trophy, a gesture that was criticized as disrespectful to Spain's achievement.
Fury Over 'Hijacked' Celebration
Spanish fans expressed anger on social media, with hashtags like #TrumpOut and #RespectSpain trending. One fan said, 'He stole our moment. We waited years for this, and he made it about himself.' Another wrote, 'Spain won the World Cup, not Trump. He should have stayed in the stands.' The incident has also sparked diplomatic tensions, with Spanish officials reportedly lodging a formal complaint with the US embassy.
Official Response from Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned Trump's actions, stating, 'The World Cup victory belongs to the Spanish people and our team. No individual, regardless of their position, should overshadow that.' The Spanish football federation added that they would ensure all official commemorative materials would feature only the team and authorized personnel.
Trump's Reaction
As of now, Trump has not publicly commented on the photoshopping, but sources close to him say he is 'furious' about the edits. His social media accounts have been silent on the matter, but it is expected that he will address the controversy soon. The incident has further strained US-Spain relations, already tense over trade and immigration policies.
