President Donald Trump faced audible boos from soccer fans at the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he presented the championship trophy to Chelsea following their 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived at the stadium at 5:27 p.m. ET, according to White House pool reports. Trump received initial cheers upon arrival, but the reception quickly turned mixed when he appeared on the jumbotron during the U.S. national anthem. The crowd erupted into boos for several seconds, prompting cameras to quickly cut away from the president.
Fifteen minutes after leaving his luxury box, Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the pitch for the awards ceremony. The pair appeared on the jumbotron again and were met with another round of boos, though there was also some applause, whistling and cheering before stadium music drowned out the negative reactions.
Trump participated in the trophy presentation ceremony, handing out individual awards, including the Golden Ball for best player to Cole Palmer, who scored two of Chelsea’s three goals. He also presented the Golden Glove to Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez and the young player award to PSG’s Désiré Doué. The president then placed medals around the necks of all match referees, with fans booing louder when Trump and Infantino posed for photos with the officials.
The most awkward moment came during Chelsea’s trophy celebration. After presenting the championship trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, Trump remained on stage while Infantino departed. The Chelsea players appeared confused about whether they should wait for the president to leave before beginning their celebration. James turned to Trump and appeared to ask whether he was planning to leave, but Trump continued grinning and stayed put.
Eventually, James decided to proceed with the trophy lift while Trump remained center stage. The unusual scene showed the Chelsea squad celebrating their tournament victory with the U.S. president squarely in the middle of their team celebration. Infantino eventually walked Trump to the back of the group so Palmer and other players could enjoy the spotlight.
Palmer expressed his confusion about the president’s lingering presence on stage. The tournament’s top player indicated he knew Trump would be present but had not expected him to remain on the platform during the trophy lift ceremony. James later explained that team officials had told him Trump would present the trophy and then exit the stage, but noted that the president wanted to stay.
The president’s entourage in the midfield luxury box included several high-profile guests. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy were present, along with former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and media mogul Rupert Murdoch. The Club World Cup trophy, which has been displayed in the Oval Office since Infantino presented it to Trump in March, was also visible in the presidential suite.
Security at MetLife Stadium was significantly elevated from previous matches, with Secret Service agents posted at stadium gates. Lines to enter moved slowly as temperatures reached 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and kickoff was delayed by approximately eight minutes.
The timing of Trump’s appearance was notable as it coincided with the first anniversary of the assassination attempt he survived at a Pennsylvania rally. The president’s attendance was part of his broader effort to use soccer events as symbols of what he calls the “Golden Age of America” during his second term.
Following the match, Trump was interviewed by DAZN broadcasters and asked about his favorite soccer player. He referenced Brazilian legend Pelé, describing how he attended a match featuring the star player at an earlier version of the stadium in the Meadowlands when Trump was younger. Trump told reporters after the game, “It was a little bit of an upset I guess you would say, but it was a great, great match.”
When asked by a reporter about potentially renaming soccer as “football” in America to match international terminology, Trump indicated he could consider signing such an executive order. The president has fostered a close relationship with Infantino, who has been a frequent White House visitor and recently opened a FIFA office in Trump Tower.
The event served as a preview for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will hold its final match at the same MetLife Stadium venue. The World Cup final will coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence, and Trump has established a federal task force to ensure the tournament’s success.
