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World Cup striker expresses reluctance to shake Trump's hand should Spain win tournament
By Ryan Gaydos
Published July 19, 2026
Spanish forward Borja Iglesias is going into the biggest match of his career – the World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday afternoon at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Should Spain win, Iglesias will be one of the players who will shake President Donald Trump’s hand after the match. However, Iglesias is no fan of the president and made it known while he talked to the Spanish media on Saturday.
Spain's Borja Iglesias celebrates with Rodri after the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (David J. Phillip/AP)
"I don't want to go to prison," he said of shaking Trump’s hand, via All Out Soccer. "I hope to greet him at a time when we are all very happy, and that it passes very quickly and I can forget about it.
"I don't think this is the time to create controversy. People know perfectly well what I think. I would love to do many things, but the reality is that even if people think I am all-powerful, I don't have that much power to tackle certain things."
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Spain's Borja Iglesias talks with the media before a training session ahead of a World Cup quarterfinal soccer match against Belgium in Carson, Calif., Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Andre Penner/AP)
Iglesias has previously expressed his support for pro-Palestinian protesters and was outspoken against the former Spanish soccer federation boss who departed his post after he kissed a player following the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He said that he thought Trump "struggles" with people who fight "for progress and for fundamental values."
Trump is set to be at the World Cup final. He participated in the trophy presentation at the FIFA Club World Cup. He remained on the stage for the celebration ceremony.
President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
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Spain will play Argentina on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET. The match can be seen on FOX.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/world-cup-striker-expresses-reluctance-shake-trumps-hand-should-spain-win-tournament