Donald Trump stood front and center during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup final Sunday (July 13) at MetLife Stadium, drawing a mix of cheers and boos and leaving players puzzled during the trophy ceremony.
Donald and Melania Trump arrived to applause from some in the crowd, but when his image appeared on the jumbotron during the national anthem, the mood shifted. Boos echoed again after the match as Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the field to hand out medals.
Chelsea’s dominant win came courtesy of two goals from Cole Palmer and a third from João Pedro, securing the London club’s place as the first champions under the tournament’s revamped format. But the post-match spotlight veered away from the pitch when Trump lingered on stage after presenting the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James.
Infantino exited the platform, but Trump remained, creating an awkward pause as players hesitated to lift the trophy. Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez eventually signaled James to proceed, resulting in a surreal image of the Chelsea squad celebrating with the former U.S. president standing in the middle.
“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, so I was a bit confused,” Palmer said. James added, “Before they told me that he was going to present the trophy and exit the stage. I thought he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Social media lit up with questions after footage appeared to show Infantino handing Trump a winner’s medal. CNN Sports reached out to FIFA for clarification on whether Trump was officially awarded a medal or if he was meant to remain on stage during the celebration.
“It was an upset today, I guess,” Trump told reporters after returning to Washington. “But it was a great match.”
The final also featured a halftime performance more typical of an NFL game than a soccer match, with Coldplay joining J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly for a surprise musical set.
Inside the luxury suite, Trump was joined by a mix of political allies and celebrities. Attorney General Pam Bondi, under scrutiny over a memo tied to Jeffrey Epstein, was in attendance. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, NFL legend Tom Brady and media executive Rupert Murdoch were also spotted.
The event came nearly one year after a failed assassination attempt on Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired multiple shots, grazing his right ear. That incident, which left one rallygoer dead and two others injured, prompted a sweeping review of Secret Service protocols.
With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the final offered a preview of the spectacle to come.
Chelsea’s win and Trump’s unexpected center-stage moment capped off the tournament’s final day on Sunday (July 13).
