Trump Embraces Football as PSG and Chelsea Clash in Historic Club World Cup Final
Trump's Club World Cup attendance merges sports and politics, showcasing his "America's Golden Age" narrative. His embrace of global football serves as soft power theater – complete with Oval Office trophy displays and controversial immigration undertones.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a striking display of soft power and political theater, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to attend the final match of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.
The event, which serves as a trial run for next year’s FIFA World Cup final at the same venue, is being framed by the Trump administration as a showcase for what the president calls “America’s Golden Age” during his second term.
Football and Politics: A Strategic Convergence
Trump’s presence at the final reflects both a growing U.S. interest in global football and his own use of the sport as a tool for political symbolism. His close friendship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a frequent White House guest, has only strengthened these optics. Notably, Trump has kept the Club World Cup trophy beside his Oval Office desk since Infantino's last visit in March.
Infantino, speaking Saturday from FIFA’s new offices at Trump Tower in New York, revealed that Trump’s affection for the sport is not merely ceremonial. “His son Barron is a big fan of football,” Infantino noted. “And when you're a father, you tend to love what your kids love.”
Trump, who reportedly played soccer for a season during his time at the New York Military Academy, appears to have personally embraced the sport often marginalized in U.S. mainstream culture.
Soft Power in the Spotlight
While football in America still trails behind the popularity of the NFL, NBA, and MLB, Trump is leveraging its global appeal. The final, drawing international attention, is a symbolic moment in Trump’s effort to project American soft power.
During Infantino’s White House visit earlier this year, Trump reminded audiences that it was during his first term that the United States secured hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup. “I was very sad thinking I wouldn’t be president when it happens,” he said—only for his 2020 loss to turn into a political resurrection.
The Club World Cup has already exceeded expectations, with over 2.5 million viewers tuning in globally. Infantino praised Trump for understanding the tournament’s global significance and his enthusiastic support for next year’s World Cup.
Blending Sport with Controversy
Trump’s passion for football, however, is not without political undertones. At a White House event in June, hosting Italian club Juventus, Trump launched into a divisive speech about transgender athletes before asking, “Can a woman join your team, guys?” Juventus director Damien Comolli replied diplomatically, “We have a very good women’s team,” to which Trump quipped, “Very diplomatic.”
Moreover, Trump’s hardline immigration policies—central to his “America First” doctrine—have raised concerns about the accessibility of major sporting events. In May, Vice President J.D. Vance declared that fans attending the 2026 World Cup would be “welcome to visit... but when the time comes, they must go home.”
A Politicized Passion
Trump’s engagement with football is a curious blend of genuine interest and calculated statecraft. His appearance at Sunday’s final cements the sport’s role in his broader political narrative—one that intertwines American revivalism with global cultural engagement.
As PSG and Chelsea vie for the title, all eyes won’t just be on the pitch—but on the man watching from the stands, using the beautiful game to underscore a political message that resonates far beyond the stadium.
