The 2026 FIFA World Cup final provided a stage not just for athletic prowess, but also for political satire. President Trump’s attendance at the event sparked a wave of commentary, particularly from late-night host Seth Meyers, who dissected the president’s reception with characteristic wit.
Meyers, known for his incisive humor, didn’t hold back in his analysis of Trump’s appearance at the World Cup final. The president, who has faced boos at various sporting events, once again found himself on the receiving end of audience disapproval. Meyers speculated that Trump’s team might be employing creative explanations to downplay the negative reactions.
Ghostly Excuses and Political Satire
During his ‘A Closer Look’ segment, Meyers joked that Trump’s staff might be telling him the boos were actually ghosts. ‘Mr. President, remember, no one’s booing you. That’s just Mitch McConnell saying hello,’ Meyers quipped, adding a layer of absurdity to the situation. He quickly clarified that McConnell was indeed alive, poking fun at the senator’s public image.
The late-night host also highlighted the irony of Trump’s presence at the World Cup final, given the recent political tensions between the U.S. and Spain. Just days before the event, Trump had ordered officials to prepare a potential trade embargo against Spain, escalating a dispute over defense spending. Meyers pointed out the hypocrisy of Trump celebrating with the Spanish team after such actions.
Trump’s Unwanted Stage Presence
Meyers didn’t miss the opportunity to comment on Trump’s reluctance to leave the stage during the Spanish team’s celebration. The president, who had presented the World Cup Winner’s Trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, seemed hesitant to exit. Meyers joked that Infantino, known for his controversial presidency, was the one trying to remove Trump from the stage, saying, ‘This is a bad look!’
The host also noted the Spanish team’s apparent disinterest in sharing the stage with Trump. Rodri, the captain of the Spanish team, was depicted as trying to usher Trump off the stage, with Meyers humorously comparing the scenario to a grandparent being sent to bed. This observation added to the
The Montage of Boos
Meyers has been compiling a montage of Trump being booed at various sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup final, the 2026 US Open men’s final, an NFL game last November, the NBA finals last month, and now the World Cup final. The host joked that if the montage gets any longer, it might need to be released on DVD, highlighting the frequency of such incidents.
The late-night host also took aim at Trump’s post-game analysis, which was notably brief and uninspired. Meyers praised Trump’s simple statement that both teams played well but Spain played better, joking that he would love to see Trump co-host ‘Inside the NBA’ one day, just for Charles Barkley’s reactions. This commentary underscored the absurdity of Trump’s involvement in sports commentary.
The late-night host’s commentary offered a sharp critique of the political and sporting dynamics at play.
