Infantino selects Ronaldo to respond to Club World Cup critics
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EAST RUTHERFORD - U.S. President Donald Trump was booed by some fans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford minutes before the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. The Republican was booed when his image briefly appeared on the stadium's four screens during the American anthem.
At the awards ceremony, the American leader was present on stage to present the trophy to the tournament's best players and was again booed by the New Jersey crowd. Trump handed the trophy to Reece James and remained on stage, appearing in photos with the Chelsea champions.
Trump watched the match alongside his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a friend of his, from one of the stadium's boxes. The two became allies and strengthened their mutual relationship. After hosting the Club World Cup, the United States will also host the 2026 World Cup, the first expanded edition with 48 teams.
"President Trump is the president of the United States, one of the World Cup host countries, and he immediately embraced the Club World Cup as well. Events like these are huge. You can't organize tournaments of this magnitude without his support," Infantino told reporters on Saturday, a day before the final.
There was a strict security protocol for fans, journalists, and guests entering the stadium, unlike any other World Cup match, precisely because of Trump's presence. There were more roadblocks, a larger police contingent with sniffer dogs, and an intensified search. The atmosphere was one of a militarized event.
Trump and First Lady Melania Trump departed their golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, around 2:40 p.m. (Brasília time) to participate in the final. He arrived at the stadium about 30 minutes before the ball rolled. The Republican is expected to return to Washington Sunday night.
The special security arrangements for Trump's presence also included US military fighter jets and helicopters, which flew over the city hours before the duel.
Streets and avenues were closed around the stadium for the Republican's arrival, causing traffic jams outside for cars and buses. The only train line that stops at MetLife was also delayed.
