Chelsea delivered a commanding performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, but it was former President Donald Trump who drew much of the spotlight. Attending the match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with First Lady Melania Trump, he watched as Chelsea clinched a 3-0 win, courtesy of two goals from Cole Palmer and a strike from recent signing João Pedro—securing their place as the first champions under the tournament’s new format.
It was a notable afternoon for Donald Trump from the moment he arrived at MetLife Stadium. He and First Lady Melania Trump were welcomed with applause upon entering, but when the former president appeared on the stadium’s video screens during the national anthem, a wave of boos rippled through the crowd. He faced more jeers after the match while presenting medals to players on the field alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.The mixed reception, however, didn’t end there. Trump was frequently shown during the broadcast, seated next to Infantino throughout the match. His suite was filled with several prominent figures, including Attorney General Pam Bondi—who has recently come under scrutiny over a memo related to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Also in attendance were Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, NFL icon Tom Brady, and media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, according to reports from the Associated Press.
After presenting the winner’s trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump stayed on the stage even as Infantino exited. His continued presence briefly left some Chelsea players unsure whether to wait for him to step down before beginning the traditional trophy lift.In a surprising moment, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez positioned opposite Donald Trump—signaled to team captain Reece James to proceed with lifting the trophy, despite the former U.S. president standing prominently at center stage.The result was a striking scene: the Chelsea squad celebrating their Club World Cup triumph with Trump positioned squarely in the middle.After the ceremony, several Chelsea players expressed confusion over Trump’s presence during the trophy lift—an occasion typically reserved for the winning team’s players and staff.“I knew he was going to be there, but I didn’t expect him to be on the stage when we lifted the trophy, so I was a little thrown off,” said Cole Palmer, who was named Player of the Tournament.James added, “They told me he’d present the trophy and then step aside. I thought he was leaving the stage—but he stayed.”The incident sparked similar reactions online, especially after footage appeared to show FIFA President Gianni Infantino handing Trump a winner’s medal.“It was an upset today, I guess,” former President Donald Trump told reporters after returning to Washington following Chelsea’s victory, according to the Associated Press. “But it was a great match.”The tournament concluded in dramatic fashion, capping off a competition marked by extreme heat, weather delays, and a global gathering of teams.In contrast to traditional soccer finals, this one embraced the spectacle typical of American sports, featuring a vibrant halftime show. The surprise performance included Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly, adding a star-studded twist to the event.With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, fans can expect even more grandeur and unexpected moments on the horizon.