President Donald Trump will attend Sunday night’s FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Paris Saint-Germain faces Chelsea. The match serves as a dress rehearsal for next year’s FIFA World Cup final, which will be hosted at the same venue.
Trump’s appearance at the stadium comes one year to the day after he survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. While he has made no public plans to commemorate the event, the timing adds personal significance to his attendance.
The president is expected to travel with First Lady Melania Trump from their Bedminster golf resort, located roughly 40 miles from the stadium. The event highlights Trump’s growing involvement with global sporting events as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada.
Trump has described the World Cup and the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as defining moments for what he calls the “Golden Age of America.” His administration views these events as opportunities to boost the country’s global image and economic strength through sport.
Trump’s presence at the final also reflects his ongoing relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The two have met repeatedly since 2018, when the United States secured the right to host the 2026 World Cup. Trump still keeps a replica of the Club World Cup trophy on display in the Oval Office, which Infantino gifted him during a White House visit in March.
“He embraced immediately the importance of the FIFA Club World Cup, and of course of the World Cup next year,” Infantino said during a press conference Saturday at FIFA’s new U.S. office in Trump Tower, New York.
According to Infantino, Trump’s interest in soccer is partly personal. His 19-year-old son Barron is an avid fan of the sport. “When you are a parent, you love what your children love,” Infantino said. He also recalled Trump playing soccer during his time at the New York Military Academy.
Since returning to office earlier this year, Trump has made sports a central part of his public schedule. He has attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, UFC events in Miami and Newark, the Daytona 500 in Florida, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup, hosted across the U.S. this month, has drawn more than 2.5 million spectators and strong television ratings. Sunday’s final between French champions PSG and English side Chelsea is expected to sell out.
While Trump has used sports to project global leadership, his comments have occasionally stirred controversy. During a visit with Juventus players in June, he made remarks about gender in sports that drew criticism. His administration’s immigration stance has also raised concerns about fan access for the 2026 World Cup.
In May, Vice President JD Vance addressed the issue, saying, “World Cup fans are welcome to come… but when the time is up, they will have to go home.”
Despite these concerns, FIFA leadership has praised Trump’s backing of the tournaments. Infantino said the partnership has been key to ensuring the Club World Cup’s success and advancing preparations for 2026.
As PSG and Chelsea face off under the lights at MetLife, Trump’s presence will underscore the intersection of sport, politics, and global image-making elements that are likely to define the road to next year’s World Cup.
About the Author
