World Cup winners must follow strict FIFA rule immediately after receiving trophy from Donald Trump

While winning the World Cup will spark delightful scenes involving the players, staff and citizens of one nation, the winners of the tournament will instantly be expected to follow strict FIFA rules.

Almost two weeks into the 2026 tournament, the World Cup is taking shape, with several nations already eliminated while others have secured their progression to the knockout stages.

Of the 48 competing nations, a total of 16 will be eliminated after the group stage, with 32 progressing to the knockout stages.

Haiti, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan and Panama are the unlucky nations that have already been eliminated, while Argentina, France, Germany, Mexico, Norway, the USA and Colombia had guaranteed their places in the last 32 as of June 24.

Two-time winners France have impressed most during the group stage, with a 3-1 win over Senegal and a 3-0 victory over Iraq, while Kylian Mbappé has netted four of the nation's six goals so far.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi leads the race for the Golden Boot with five goals from two matches.

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Norway’s Erling Haaland, like Mbappé, has also scored four times, with Germany’s Deniz Undav and Canada’s Jonathan David on three each.

The aforementioned players will no doubt be hoping to continue their goalscoring exploits during the knockout stages, both for personal and collective gain.

After the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium, several awards will be handed out to players, including the Golden Ball, Golden Boot and Golden Glove.

Silver and Bronze Boots will also be handed out to the second and third-highest goalscorers.

Silver and Bronze Balls are set to be awarded to the second and third-best players.

The FIFA Young Player Award will be presented to a player born on or after January 1, 2005.

Meanwhile, the FIFA Fair Play Award will be presented to the team that finishes first in the fair play standings.

Of course, the most sought-after accolade of all is the World Cup trophy, which will be handed to the tournament winners by US President Donald Trump.

"We will be together with the president, enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course," FIFA President Gianni Infantino told FOX when confirming the arrangements.

When asked if he would also be involved, the Swiss official added: "Of course, we are together all the time.

Trump previously awarded the FIFA Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea last summer before standing in the middle of the side's celebrations on the winners' podium.

World Cup winners to follow strict FIFA rules

Given the prestige of the occasion, players may be forgiven for letting their hair down. However, according to FIFA regulations, there are strict rules that participating nations must follow after being presented with the World Cup trophy.

FIFA’s official 2026 World Cup regulations explain that the winning "Participating Member Association shall take all reasonable steps, at its own expense, to ensure the security and safety of the Trophy and Winner’s Trophy while they are in its possession".

Also, despite winning the ultimate prize, the winning team will only have temporary custody of the trophy and are required to return it at FIFA's request.

Rules state: “FIFA will issue, at a later date, Trophy Regulations. The winning Participating Member Association shall ensure its full compliance with these Trophy Regulations.”

All participating member associations will also receive a souvenir plaque to mark their appearance at the tournament.