President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup Final on July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The event featured Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain competing for the international title, but moments involving the U.S. president and his family also drew public attention.
Presidential Appearance and Crowd Reaction
As part of the official trophy presentation, President Trump joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the field to hand out medals and awards to the players. According to event coverage, the president’s presence was met with a mix of reactions, including audible boos from parts of the crowd when he appeared on the stadium’s video boards and later when he joined players for the post-match ceremony.
While such reactions are not uncommon for political figures in public sporting events, they were particularly noted during this match.
Moments on Stage with Chelsea Players
During the trophy presentation, Trump remained briefly on stage alongside Chelsea captain Reece James and other players. Some players appeared surprised by the president’s position on the podium during the trophy lift.
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer later commented to reporters that he was aware of Trump attending but was momentarily unsure why he was on stage at that moment. Many Chelsea players just couldn’t believe what they were seeing
“I knew he was going to be there, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand where we lift the trophy,” Palmer explained. Reece James added: “I thought he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Eventually, FIFA’s president guided Trump off stage after the trophy lift concluded.
Family Moments: Melania Trump and Donald Trump Jr.
Cameras also captured lighter moments involving the Trump family. In the VIP suite, First Lady Melania Trump was seen sharing a brief kiss on the cheek with the president, while standing alongside FIFA’s leadership.
Separately, Donald Trump Jr. and his partner Bettina Anderson were photographed earlier that day at Teterboro Airport. The couple was seen sharing affectionate moments while waiting for the president and first lady’s arrival before the match.
Online Commentary and Broader Reaction
Following the event, some social media users voiced criticism regarding the president’s attendance in the context of ongoing domestic matters. Posts mentioned issues such as wildfires in parts of the U.S. and recovery efforts in Texas. However, no official statements were made by the White House regarding these public reactions.
A High-Profile Night for Soccer and Politics
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final concluded with Chelsea FC lifting the trophy, while President Trump’s participation marked one of the more globally visible appearances of a U.S. president at an international sporting event.
While reactions varied, both in the stadium and online, the occasion highlighted the intersection of sports, politics, and public life on an international stage.