US President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez exchanged a brief, tense handshake on Sunday at the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, held at the MetLife Stadium in New York. The encounter took place in the VIP box, witnessed by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, as well as FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The greeting, captured behind bulletproof glass, marked the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since their relationship soured over disagreements on NATO contributions and the US military campaign against Iran.
The handshake was notably brief and devoid of public statements, reflecting the strained relations between Washington and Madrid. Sánchez approached Trump with a smile for the photo opportunity, but the atmosphere was described as tense by observers. The Spanish prime minister shared the box with the royal couple and the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Louzán. Trump was also joined by the leaders of the other 2026 World Cup co-hosts: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The meeting comes after months of escalating verbal clashes between the two governments. At a recent NATO summit in Ankara, Trump publicly criticized Spain, calling it a «lost cause» and a «terrible ally» within the alliance. He accused Spain of failing to meet its defense spending commitments and of not participating adequately in NATO operations. «Spain is a lost cause. They don't participate. They don't pay. I don't want to know anything about Spain,» Trump said at the time, according to reports from the summit.
In response, Sánchez has defended Spain's defense policy, noting that the country has increased its military budget in recent years and remains committed to NATO's collective security framework. However, the Spanish government has also been critical of Trump's approach to international diplomacy, particularly regarding the war in Iran, where Spain has advocated for a more cautious and multilateral stance. The tension has been one of the most visible diplomatic rifts between a European Union member and the Trump administration.
The World Cup final itself was a high-stakes sporting event, pitting Spain, the 2010 world champion, against Argentina, the reigning champion from 2022. The match was expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams boasting strong squads. Spain, coached by Luis de la Fuente, had eliminated Austria, Portugal, Belgium, and France en route to the final. Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, had overcome challenges from Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland, and England. The game was scoreless at the end of regular time, heading into extra time.
The presence of the Spanish royal family at the event underscored the importance of the match for Spain, as the country sought its second World Cup title. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were seen greeting both Trump and Sánchez, serving as a neutral presence amid the political tension. The king has previously played a role in smoothing diplomatic relations, and his attendance at the final was seen as a gesture of national unity.
The brief encounter between Trump and Sánchez is unlikely to resolve the underlying disagreements between the two countries. The US has continued to pressure NATO allies to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP, a target that Spain has not yet met, though it has pledged to reach it by 2029. Meanwhile, Spain has sought to maintain its own foreign policy priorities, including a focus on multilateralism and dialogue with Iran. The handshake at the World Cup final may have provided a momentary image of civility, but the broader diplomatic challenges remain.
For now, the focus in New York remains on the football. The final between Spain and Argentina is one of the most anticipated matches in recent World Cup history, drawing global attention. The presence of world leaders in the stands added a layer of political significance to the event, but the game itself remained the main attraction for the tens of thousands of fans in the stadium and millions watching worldwide.