As singer Jennifer Hudson wrapped a stirring rendition of the U.S. national anthem, the Jumbotron at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium jumped to Trump, immediately inciting a blast of boos from the some 82,500 other fans in attendance.

Verified by measurements shared with the presidential press pool, ambient crowd noise at the stadium clocked in around 78 decibels while jeers brought it to 84.

The U.S. president was watching from a VIP suite along with his friend, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, first lady Melania Trump, and diplomatic rivals Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.

U.S. President Donald Trump waves at crowds with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final on Sunday.

Eva Marie Uzcategui - FIFA via Getty Images

Trump, who was on hand to present the winning team its trophy, did not pick a favorite ahead of the game but did remark that it’d be difficult for Spain to reckon with Argentine star Lionel Messi’s talents.

Though the 2026 World Cup has been a historic success, drawing a record-breaking 6.6 million fans across 16 stadiums throughout North America’s three largest nations, the impact of the U.S. president’s politics could not be avoided.

Scandal emerged over decisions to deny a respected referee from Somalia entry, as well as the U.S. sharply curtailing visas for the Iranian delegation and forcing the team to keep their home base in Tijuana, Mexico.

Nevertheless, Trump celebrated the World Cup as an American success during a reception for FIFA at his New York City Trump Tower on Friday.

“It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” he said of the once soccer-skeptical U.S. “This has really brought the world together.”