World Cup goalkeeper expresses reluctance to shake Trump’s hand should Spain win tournament

Steelman: both sides, in good faith

The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.

The case for

Athletes are individuals with genuine conscience and values that remain integral to who they are, even at major competitions. If a political leader represents policies an athlete finds deeply troubling, performing a mandatory ceremonial gesture could feel like forced endorsement or compromise of principle. Iglesias's measured expression of discomfort—expressing reluctance whilst stopping short of outright refusal—raises a legitimate question about whether protocol should require individuals to suppress genuine moral concerns.

The case against

Major sporting events serve a vital function as rare spaces where national and political divisions are temporarily set aside in pursuit of fair competition. Post-match protocols exist precisely to preserve this apolitical nature and maintain universal standards of sportsmanship across all competitions and world leaders. If athletes routinely use tournaments to make political statements and selectively refuse customary gestures based on personal views, it risks fragmenting the event and undermining its unifying purpose. The handshake honours the occasion and competition itself, not the individual's politics.