US President Donald Trump attended the FIFA Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday with his family and closest advisors. The head of state and first lady Melania Trump were seen in the main box from the start of the match.
After the match, the head of state was in charge of presenting the trophy to the English team, who won 3-0 over the French.
The presidential couple traveled from their golf club in Bedminster to the stadium, located about 40 miles away.
The president and his entourage arrived minutes before the pre-match musical performance, which featured artists Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini in front of more than 80,000 spectators. Upon his arrival, Trump greeted the crowd, which responded with both cheers and boos, reflecting the polarized atmosphere that characterizes the current U.S. political climate.
MetLife Stadium, where the final was held, will also host the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be played in just over a year.
Trump's presence at the sporting event reinforced his interest in football, part of a public schedule that has been largely dominated by sports activities since his return to the presidency. In recent months, Trump has attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the NASCAR Daytona 500 in Florida, several UFC fights in Miami and Newark, and the college wrestling national championship in Philadelphia.
The sporting event coincided with the date of the failed attack on Trump, which took place during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The incident, which shocked the nation and led to a significant increase in presidential security measures, continues to impact security at public events in which the president participates.
On Sunday in New Jersey, surveillance devices and police forces intensified their efforts, maintaining strict controls at the entrances and in the vicinity of the stadium.
The president's sports agenda is complemented by his relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump has expressed his intention to attend several matches at the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The president has described the event as an opportunity to showcase the country's organizational capacity and sports infrastructure, as well as to promote sports in North America.
However, the tournament's hosting comes amid tense relations between the United States and its neighboring countries. Proposed new trade tariffs, immigration controversies, and Trump's statements about the possibility of Canada becoming the 51st state of the Union have complicated the diplomatic environment ahead of the World Cup.
When asked about these tensions during a press conference, Trump appeared unconcerned, believing the current disagreements only add to the tournament's appeal."Tension is a good thing," the president asserted.
For many fans, the Club World Cup final and the presidential visit represented a prelude to the 2026 World Cup, whose decisive match will be played at the same venue and where international political figures are expected to be in attendance.
One year after the attack that nearly cost him his life, Donald Trump chose to celebrate the day with his family, accompanied by his closest collaborators, and at one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. While media attention focused on the match and the president's presence, anticipation for the upcoming World Cup continues to grow.
