Chelsea may have lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in emphatic style, but the headlines once again belonged to someone else—Donald Trump.
The final, played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, saw Chelsea dominate Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 win, thanks to a clinical brace from Cole Palmer and a strike from new signing João Pedro. It should have been a celebration of Chelsea’s rising dominance on the global stage.
Instead, the spotlight was hijacked by the former U.S. president.
🎥 Booed by Fans, Flanked by Infantino
Throughout the match, Trump was repeatedly shown on the stadium’s big screens—each time receiving audible boos from the crowd. His seatmate? None other than **FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose reputation with fans isn't much better.
Security was intense. Trump entered through the players' tunnel, escorted by the Secret Service, and his arrival even caused a delay in the national anthem. Typically played an hour before kickoff, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was shifted to just before match start due to his presence.
🏆 Trophy Lift… With a Twist
As Chelsea lifted the Club World Cup trophy, a bizarre scene unfolded. Traditionally, dignitaries hand over the silverware and quickly step aside—but not Trump. He remained on stage, inserting himself into the team’s celebrations and creating awkward moments for the players.
“I knew he was going to be here but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy… was a bit confused,” said Cole Palmer, per The Independent.
Captain Reece James, ever composed, kept things diplomatic:
“He just congratulated me and the team… told us to enjoy the moment.”
🧠 Self-Promotion or Strategy?
While some see Trump’s involvement as merely self-promoting, others speculate it could be part of a broader strategy. With the 2026 World Cup partially hosted in the U.S., Infantino has made it a priority to build relationships with American political figures—and Trump, for better or worse, remains a headline magnet.
He was joined in the VIP box by Tom Brady, Rupert Murdoch, and several members of his cabinet.
⚽ Focus Back on Football
Despite the chaos, Chelsea’s performance deserves top billing. They dismantled a star-studded PSG team, showing composure, creativity, and clinical finishing.
While fans may brush off the Club World Cup as a lesser achievement, the message to the Premier League is clear: Chelsea are back and dangerous.
Final Thoughts
Whether Trump’s actions were tone-deaf or calculated, there’s no question: moments like these should belong to the players. Chelsea earned their celebration, and that spotlight shouldn’t be stolen—especially not on the world stage.
With the 2026 World Cup final set to be played at MetLife Stadium, we may not have seen the last of Trump on the trophy podium.