President Donald Trump during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final award ceremony David Ramos/Getty Images
Not all sports fans were happy to see Trump at the game
President Donald Trump outside the White House Win Mcnamee/Getty Images
Even if he boldly attempted to steal the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup champions' spotlight shortly after their triumph, President Donald Trump didn't earn as warm a reception he might have hoped for. While he probably anticipated eager gestures from the Chelsea F.C. and FIFA officials to join their celebration, and perhaps an even more enthusiastic response from the soccer fans watching him, he was instead rushed away, and many in the crowd at MetLife Stadium apparently weren't thrilled about his presence. Some stadium-goers booed the commander in chief a couple times: first while he was featured on the stadium's video screen prior to the game, and again when he paraded around the team afterward.
Chelsea players also didn't seem thrilled they had to share the spotlight with the U.S. president while they relished in their victory. Soccer players like Cole Palmer were just as perplexed about the commander in chief joining his team on stage. "No, I knew he was going to be there, but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand where we lifted the trophy, " Palmer said in a statement The Athletic posted on X on July 13, 2025. "So, I was a bit confused." Knowing that the FIFA World Cup final will take place at the same venue in 2026, we fear President Trump could return to steal another team's thunder.