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Trump Keeps Original Club World Cup Trophy, Pockets Medal at MetLife Ceremony

The episode highlights disputes over championship protocol, player confusion, presidential branding efforts; it underscores the U.S. role in next year’s World Cup.

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Overview

  • Trump retained the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy gifted by Gianni Infantino in March, leaving Chelsea with a replica after their 3–0 win over Paris Saint-Germain.
  • Chelsea captain Reece James and standout performer Cole Palmer expressed bewilderment when Trump remained onstage during the replica trophy lift.
  • Viral footage showed the president slipping a winners’ medal into his suit pocket as Infantino looked on, fueling discussion over sportsmanship and ceremony norms.
  • In an interview with DAZN, Trump said he could issue an executive order to rename “soccer” as “football” in the United States, illustrating his use of sporting events for political messaging.
  • The presence of the trophy in the Oval Office and the White House’s close ties to FIFA underscore ongoing tensions over sports protocol and foreshadow debates ahead of the 2026 World Cup.