Spain claimed the World Cup title after beating Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final, with Trump assigned the role of distributing medals and presenting the trophy to the victorious squad. Photo: Reach Publishing Services Limited

Spain claimed the World Cup title after beating Lionel Messi and Argentina in the final, with Trump assigned the role of distributing medals and presenting the trophy to the victorious squad.

Trump stayed on the podium as Spain lifted the trophy, before eventually being guided away by Gianni Infantino to allow the team to celebrate, with several photos capturing him alongside the players. Spain removed Trump from their trophy lift photos, and notably, FIFA followed suit - also cropping out Infantino in the process.

The White House subsequently fired back with their own post, sharing multiple images of Trump alongside the Spanish squad, along with an Instagram video.

Trump is the sole figure in focus in two of the published photos, reports the Mirror US.

This marked the second occasion within the past 12 months that Trump has handed over a soccer trophy, having previously done so with Chelsea at the Club World Cup final in the same stadium a year prior.

Broadcast presenters and commentators remarked on Trump lingering on the podium before ultimately being escorted away - this coming after he was met with boos upon walking onto the field.

Nevertheless, several Spanish players appeared genuinely pleased to meet Trump, with some performing the 'Trump dance' as he joined them on the podium.

Speaking following the match and reflecting on the tournament held across north America, Trump stated: "They both played well. I would say Spain played better. It was very exciting. It looked like Spain dominated but it was a very close match.

"[The World Cup] is one of the greatest events of any kind. We are really happy it did so well.

"People have come from all over the world and loved our country. We have showed our country in a different light and it was a great thing."