Trump Joins Chelsea's Trophy Lift in Unforgettable Club World Cup Final
So, something truly unexpected happened at the Club World Cup final that has everyone talking—not just about the football, but about politics stepping directly onto the pitch. After Chelsea's stunning 3-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the trophy lift became the center of controversy, and not for the usual football reasons.
Here’s the moment that surprised many: as Chelsea’s captain Reece James prepared to lift the trophy, none other than former U.S. President Donald Trump joined the team on stage. And he didn’t just hand over the trophy and exit gracefully as anticipated. Instead, Trump stayed right there—front and center—as the team celebrated, clapping alongside them, soaking in the spotlight. According to Reece James, they had been told Trump would present the trophy and then step off. “I thought he was going to exit the stage,” James said, “but he wanted to stay.”
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Cole Palmer, who played a brilliant match and scored two goals, admitted he was confused to see Trump still standing next to the players during the celebration. “I knew he was going to be here,” he said, “but I didn’t expect him to be there when we lifted the trophy.”
The crowd of over 80,000 had already been treated to a spectacle that felt more like a Super Bowl than a football final—complete with Coldplay, red carpets, and a military flyover. Trump was seated next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino throughout the game, and the two seemed more than happy to share the stage at the end. Infantino, known for inserting himself into moments of glory, seemed to follow Trump’s lead.
What makes this moment so surreal is how the actual football, which was top-tier by all standards, almost felt like a backdrop to the political theater. Chelsea’s win was dominant—tactically brilliant under Enzo Maresca, with Palmer, Sánchez, and João Pedro all playing key roles. Yet, the headlines aren’t just about the scoreline; they’re about the imagery of a former head of state standing with players, center stage, in a moment traditionally reserved for athletes and coaching staff.
Commentators are already calling Trump’s presence a “grimly perfect image” of a tournament that some critics labeled misguided. There’s growing unease about how FIFA events have become stages not just for sport but for soft political messaging. Trump’s joke about making an executive order to rename “soccer” as “football” only added to the strange blend of satire and spectacle.
Now, with the U.S. co-hosting the 2026 World Cup, many are wondering: was this just a preview of how much political showmanship we might see next summer? Either way, Trump’s unexpected cameo at Chelsea’s trophy lift has ensured that this Club World Cup final won’t be forgotten anytime soon—not for the football alone, but for the moment when sport and politics collided right on stage.
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