June 24 – US President Donald Trump will hand the trophy to the winners of the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed. In a break from recent protocol, the two men will pass it to the winning captain together.

That’s a change from the script. At Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018, the previous World Cups on Infantino’s watch, the FIFA president did the honours himself.

“We will be together with the president [Trump] enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino told Fox & Friends. “We are together all the time.”

All the time, indeed. Infantino, FIFA’s self-styled man of peace, forever shuttling between summits and photo ops in the name of bringing the world together through football, has found few rooms he won’t share, and few leaders he won’t stand beside. So, the sight of him ushering the President on to the biggest stage in sports surprises absolutely no one but will disappoint many.

And let’s be honest about the other half of this. Was it ever realistic to think Trump would settle for a seat in the stands at the biggest event America has hosted in a generation? The man does not do background. Centre stage, trophy in hand, a global television audience, pure Trump.

There’s recent history here, too. At last summer’s Club World Cup final in New Jersey, Trump presented the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James and then declined to leave, wandering into the team celebrations among visibly bemused players.

Heads of state have handed over the World Cup before. But few have looked quite this keen.

Infantino has been reported to the FIFA Ethics body for breaking the world governing body’s statutes as regards remaining politically neutral. The complaint was made by the Norwegian FA – most FIFA members agree privately that the politicisation of the game has gone too far but won’t say publicly because of the long reach of FIFA’s weaponised judicial function.

On Monday Infantino was at the Norway-Senegal, sharing the dignitary limelight with Erling Haaland’s father, Alfie. No Norwegian FA officials were to be seen, one presumes they were allowed in to the match but with this version of FIFA you can never be sure.

Clearly Infantino feels safe in the knowledge that there appears to be no check or balance on his executive powers. Trump presenting the trophy is another example of his disregard for the groundswell of public opinion.

If Iran or one of the other “shithole” nations (Trump’s words) win, will he still take centre stage?

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]. Additional reporting by [email protected]