President Donald Trump was loudly booed by fans but remained center stage as Chelsea lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on Sunday at a packed MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The jeers began early, as Trump appeared on the stadium’s big screens during the national anthem. The booing continued later when he joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the field to present the trophy and individual awards following Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
As Chelsea captain Reece James hoisted the trophy, Infantino quietly stepped aside, leaving Trump alone in the spotlight as cameras zoomed in on the celebration.
Trump Steals the Spotlight
The Club World Cup final, part of FIFA’s newly expanded format to crown the top club team globally, was played under sweltering 85°F (29°C) heat and a heavy security presence due to the president’s attendance. The kickoff was delayed eight minutes as fans endured long lines and Secret Service screenings at the stadium gates.
Trump’s motorcade arrived through a private entrance near the players’ tunnel roughly 30 minutes before the match. In a departure from earlier matches, the national anthem was moved to immediately before kickoff to align with Trump’s arrival. When the cameras showed him standing during the anthem, the stadium erupted in loud boos lasting several seconds.
VIP Guests and Political Optics
Joining Trump in the VIP suite were Infantino, Fox Sports commentator and former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and several members of Trump’s cabinet, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Club World Cup trophy—briefly housed in the Oval Office after an earlier photo-op—was also on display. Trump and Infantino jointly carried it to the podium before Trump remained on stage for the official trophy presentation, flanked by Chelsea’s American co-owner Todd Boehly and PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
Infantino’s Close Ties with Trump
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has cultivated a close relationship with Trump since the U.S. was awarded Club World Cup hosting rights in 2023. He has called their partnership “absolutely crucial” and has appeared alongside Trump at multiple public events, including in the White House for the launch of the World Cup task force.
Earlier this year, Infantino accompanied Trump on a Middle East trip—missing the FIFA Congress in Paraguay and prompting a walkout by angry delegates.
Despite the controversy, Sunday’s event placed Trump front and center on the global soccer stage. And while the boos rang out across MetLife Stadium, the president appeared unfazed—lingering on stage as Chelsea’s players celebrated, the cameras rolling, the world watching.
