Fact Check: Is FIFA trying to stop Trump from presenting 2026 World Cup trophy over Epstein chants?
WASHINGTON, DC: Following reports that President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup and present the trophy to the winning team, a viral social media post claimed that FIFA officials are trying to stop him from taking part in the ceremony.
The post alleged that officials fear European football fans could chant rhymes referencing Jeffrey Epstein, potentially creating an embarrassing moment on the global stage. Let's fact-check the claim.
Claim: FIFA officials are trying to talk Trump out of presenting World Cup trophy
BREAKING: FIFA officials are reportedly trying to talk Trump out of presenting the World Cup trophy by warning him that European football fans love chanting, and “there's a lot of words that rhyme with Epstein.”
— The Halfway Post (@HalfwayPost) June 26, 2026
The rumor appears to have originated from an X user who claimed, "FIFA officials are reportedly trying to talk Trump out of presenting the World Cup trophy by warning him that European football fans love chanting, and 'there's a lot of words that rhyme with Epstein.'"
The claim gained traction as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued across North America. In recent weeks, videos circulating online have shown some fans chanting slogans referencing Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein during matches, fueling speculation about Trump's planned role in presenting the trophy at the July 19 final.
As the sitting US president, Trump's expected appearance at one of the world's biggest sporting events has drawn significant public attention, blending sports, politics, and social media speculation into a viral discussion.
Fact Check: False
The claim that FIFA officials are trying to persuade President Donald Trump not to present the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy is false. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly and publicly confirmed that he and Trump will jointly present the trophy to the winning team after the July 19 final. No credible news outlet or official statement suggests that FIFA has asked Trump to withdraw from the ceremony.
The claim appears to stem from real incidents involving anti-Trump chants at World Cup matches. During the tournament, some European and Australian fans were heard chanting slogans referencing Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, sparking discussion online about how crowds might react if Trump appears at the final.
Reports also indicate that the White House has taken steps to minimize the risk of hostile crowd reactions.
According to multiple outlets, Trump's aides are in "crisis mode" and have discussed limiting some public appearances ahead of the final to avoid negative publicity. However, these precautions reflect internal White House planning, not pressure from FIFA.
Therefore, the viral post exaggerates real events into a false narrative. While anti-Trump chants have been heard at some matches and the White House is reportedly preparing for possible crowd reactions, there is no evidence that FIFA officials are trying to stop Trump from attending or presenting the World Cup trophy.
