Donald Trump steals the spotlight with Chelsea at the Club World Cup—and social media erupts

Neither Chelsea’s dominant win nor Cole Palmer’s two goals were the main story after the Club World Cup final. All eyes shifted in a matter of seconds when President Donald Trump decided that stepping off the stage after handing over the trophy. Just wasn’t his thing.

As Reece James lifted the trophy with a mix of pride and mild confusion, Donald Trump stood tall among the players, celebrating as though he’d been part of the starting eleven. Far from stepping aside, the president remained at the center of the festivities.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Donald Trump even blocked Palmer from view during the moment of celebration. What should have been an exclusive shot for the champions turned into a viral snapshot now circling the globe.

Donald Trump was supposed to hand over the trophy and leave

Accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. The president watched the match from the VIP box at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Alongside his longtime ally Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA. From there, Donald Trump saw Chelsea dismantle Paris Saint-Germain with a commanding 3–0 win, fueled by a brilliant first half. Afterwards, Trump stepped onto the pitch to distribute medals and present the trophy, just as protocol dictated.

But what followed was unexpected. Infantino quietly exited after his part; Donald Trump, meanwhile, stayed behind to pose, smile, and mingle with the players. Photos captured Reece James seemingly waiting—maybe hoping—for the president to step aside. Since that didn’t happen, the Chelsea captain lifted the trophy with a grin. And shared a historic image alongside Trump.

I’m actually dying at this video Chelsea players were waiting for trump to leave but he didn’t 🤣 pic.twitter.com/al6YszGWaU

— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) July 13, 2025

Warm-up for 2026

This unexpected football moment for Donald Trump comes just months after his presidential return—and right on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. That tournament’s final is also set to take place at MetLife Stadium, making this scene feel like more than just a viral detour. It was a kind of presidential dress rehearsal, complete with a ball, medal, and all the attention.

Some fans applauded the moment, others criticized it, and many turned it into meme gold. But for a brief instant, Donald Trump was part of Chelsea—at least in the photo now seen around the world.