NEW DELHI: Spain striker Borja Iglesias made a light-hearted comment ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, saying he hopes he won’t have to spend much time shaking hands with the US president. Donald Trump during the trophy presentation after Sunday’s title clash against Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Trump is expected to attend the World Cup finals, and Spanish magazine Panenka asked Iglesias how he would react if he had to greet the US president after the match.
“I don’t want to go to jail”
Responding with humor, Iglesias said he would shake hands with Trump, but hoped the moment would be over quickly.“I’m shaking hands with Trump, but I hope it’s soon… I don’t want to go to jail,” Iglesias said as quoted by Italian news site Il Messaggero.The Celta Vigo striker said he simply wanted to enjoy the occasion if Spain lifted the trophy.“I hope to say goodbye at a time when we are all very happy, and that it ends very quickly so that we can forget about it.”Iglesias also said he didn’t want the moment to turn into a political issue.“I don’t want to go to prison for refusing. I don’t think this is the time to create controversy because people already know very well what I think. I would like to do many things, but the reality is that even if people think I am omnipotent, I don’t really have much power to deal with some problems”, as per Il Messaggero.
Spain eyes the second title of the World Cup
Spain enjoyed a superb tournament, conceding just one goal and becoming the first team in men’s FIFA World Cup history to keep six clean sheets in a single edition.After opening their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, Spain have won six games in a row, beating Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France to book their place in the finals.
Argentina is chasing history
Argentina enters the final looking to defend the FIFA World Cup title they won in 2022.Lionel Scaloni’s side reached the final after a 2-1 comeback win over England in the semi-finals and have now won 14 games in a row.Victory over Spain would make Argentina the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.The match will also be the first FIFA World Cup final between the reigning European champions and the reigning Copa America champions.