Gianni Infantino apologises to Lionel Scaloni after trophy protocol blunder

December 8, 2025 Oliver Obel

Handling the World Cup trophy is normally governed by a strict FIFA protocol that restricts contact to former champions and select officials. The rule is meant to preserve the symbolism and integrity of the trophy, but it occasionally causes confusion especially at large, fast-moving events.

According to The Independent, that confusion resurfaced at the Kennedy Centre when event staff instructed Scaloni to wear white gloves before carrying the trophy onstage. He paused briefly, appearing unsure whether the request was genuine, before choosing to comply. Viewers already an hour into musical performances and Kevin Hart’s rapid-fire jokes noticed the slight hesitation on the broadcast.

The draw itself would not begin for nearly two hours, leaving the unusual moment to linger longer than intended.

Infantino’s public mea culpa

Infantino later addressed the mix-up directly, acknowledging that Scaloni should never have been treated as though he were an ordinary guest. After all, he coached Argentina to their 2022 title in Qatar and is one of the few people globally who is permitted to touch the trophy without restriction.

“I have to apologise to Lionel Scaloni for what happened… I am very sorry. On behalf of FIFA, I apologise to you,” Infantino said. He added a playful aside, suggesting the coach looked “younger every day,” which may have contributed to the misunderstanding.

Scaloni was then invited to present the trophy again this time without gloves and with the room clearly aware of who he was.

Speaking afterward, he handled the situation with humor, saying he believed staff had simply “mistaken him for someone else” during the previous night’s rehearsal.

Looking ahead to North America

While the ceremony grabbed headlines for the wrong reasons, Argentina’s path toward defending their title became clearer. The group-stage draw placed them alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan for next summer’s tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Scaloni told reporters the group may be more competitive than it appears at first glance. Austria, he noted, arrive with a strong qualifying campaign behind them. Algeria’s pace and physicality, meanwhile, make them a perennial threat. Jordan, he added, “earned their place” after an impressive qualifying run that caught the attention of many analysts.

He also hinted at continued squad evolution, saying Argentina intend to keep injecting youth into the roster to maintain intensity over a long tournament.

Ranked second in the world, Argentina will open their title defence on 16 June against Algeria in Kansas City, followed by Austria on 22 June and Jordan on 28 June.

A minor trophy mishap may have interrupted the ceremony, but the broader picture remains unchanged: Scaloni’s team will arrive in North America expected to contend, scrutinised as champions, and carrying the weight of a nation accustomed to historic moments.

Sources: The Independent, GIVEMESPORT