Chelsea, Donald Trump and Club World Cup
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Chelsea's Reece James holds the championship trophy as he celebrates with teammates and President Donald Trump, second right, after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) AP
President Trump handed out trophies and medals after Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in the FIFA Club World Cup final. But there was one awkward moment on stage.
Chelsea lifted an imitation of the Club World Cup trophy — because the original is permanently housed in the Oval Office after being gifted to Donald Trump. The US president has revealed that he was given the trophy by FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a visit to the White House in March.
I was a bit confused,” said Chelsea soccer star Cole Palmer after the president neglected to leave the stage following the trophy presentation ceremony.
President Trump stirred controversy by claiming FIFA gifted him the original Club World Cup trophy, currently in the Oval Office. He joked about renaming soccer to football and surprised Chelsea players by staying on stage during the trophy presentation at the tournament final.