President Donald Trump is set to attend the final of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup this Sunday, showcasing an unexpected attachment to a sport where “America First” is still more of a dream than a reality.
The final—between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea—will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. For Trump, this is more than just a high-profile match; it’s a symbolic warm-up for next year’s World Cup final, which will be hosted in the same stadium.
Trump has repeatedly described major international sporting events—including the Club World Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—as centrepieces of what he calls the “Golden Age of America” under his second term in office.
His close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino—who has made several visits to the White House—is also a factor in Trump’s visible involvement. In fact, Trump has kept a replica of the Club World Cup trophy on his desk since Infantino gifted it to him in March.
Beyond politics, Trump’s connection to football (or soccer, as it’s known in the U.S.) appears to be personal. His 19-year-old son, Barron, is a fan—a detail Infantino shared during a recent press conference at FIFA’s new office inside Trump Tower in New York.
When asked if the president genuinely likes football, Infantino replied: “I think he does. During his first term, there was a soccer goal in the White House garden. He told me his son loved the game, and when you’re a parent, you love what your children love. So yes, I think he truly enjoys it.”
Trump himself reportedly played soccer during his time at the New York Military Academy, though only briefly.
In a country where soccer still lags behind American football, basketball, and baseball, Trump’s embrace of the sport may seem unusual—but it’s strategic. Football brings popularity, global influence, and a powerful diplomatic platform.
Trump proudly noted during Infantino’s March visit that the U.S. secured hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup during his first term. At the time, he was unsure if he’d be in office when the tournament arrived—but his re-election has now made that possible.
So far, the expanded Club World Cup has exceeded expectations, drawing around 2.5 million fans across stadiums nationwide and delivering exciting matches. Infantino thanked Trump for his continued support, stating that the president “immediately recognised the importance of the Club World Cup—and of course, next year’s World Cup.”
Infantino also joked that Trump “loves the trophy”—a gold-plated symbol that fits right in with the decor of the Trump-era Oval Office.
However, the president’s football enthusiasm hasn’t been free of controversy. While hosting Italian club Juventus at the White House in June, Trump stirred debate by delivering remarks on transgender athletes before asking the team if a woman could ever make their squad. Juventus GM Damien Comolli calmly replied, “We have a very good women’s team.” Trump smiled and said, “He’s being very diplomatic.”
Meanwhile, immigration policies under Trump’s “America First” agenda have raised concerns among fans. In May, Vice President JD Vance commented that World Cup visitors would be “welcome to come… but when the time is up, they will have to go home.”
As Trump continues blending politics and sports, his appearance at Sunday’s Club World Cup final signals both a personal passion and a calculated nod to the global spotlight that football brings.
