Chelsea lifts Club World Cup after dominant win but Trump steals the moment with awkward stage cameo

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY: Chelsea stunned reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, but it was President Donald Trump’s unexpected presence during the trophy ceremony that became the defining image of the night.

The victory marked Chelsea’s first Club World Cup win in the newly expanded format, but the post-match celebrations took an awkward turn as Trump remained front and center during the official proceedings.

Donald Trump lingers awkwardly on stage during Chelsea’s Club World Cup trophy lift

Chelsea's dominant first-half display at MetLife Stadium featured two early goals from Cole Palmer and a third from Joao Pedro. PSG, heavy pre-match favorites after thrashing Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Inter Miami in earlier rounds, saw their frustration boil over with a late red card and a post-match skirmish involving manager Luis Enrique.

As things settled, Trump joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the pitch to hand out medals. Both figures presented the Club World Cup trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James.

However, instead of stepping aside, Trump remained in the middle of the Chelsea squad as they prepared for the iconic trophy lift.

“Wait, wait, what’s he doing?” Palmer said to James before the customary celebration that soccer clubs perform when commemorating a major title.

“Are you going to leave?” James asked Trump before hoisting the golden-globed trophy. The MAGA leader smiled and clapped among the Chelsea players before FIFA president Infantino eventually pulled him away.

“I knew he was going to be there, but I didn’t know he was going be on the stand where we lift the trophy. So, I was a bit confused,” said Palmer to reporters after the match.

James added, “I thought he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”

DAZN presenter Ade Oladipo commented during the broadcast, “It was a bit awkward with Reece James not knowing if he was coming or going. I thought Donald Trump, the president, was going to lift it at one point!”

Intetnet reacts as Donald Trump lingers on stage while Chelsea lifts Club World Cup trophy

Donald Trump’s decision to remain on the stage during Chelsea’s celebration prompted a flood of reactions across social media, where users expressed everything from secondhand embarrassment to outright disbelief.

On X (formerly Twitter), one user summed up the mood by writing, “OMFG this is so embarrassing.”

Another accused the president of stealing the moment, saying, “Omg! Trump ignores the FIFA president cuz he just has to insert himself into the team’s celebration! Their triumphant win had nothing to do with him but in his sick mind, he’s pretending that he’s part of it.”

A person expressed, “So USA didn’t win but he felt the need to photo bomb Chelsea? Ok”

Meanwhile, over on Reddit, users turned their attention to the awkward choreography of the moment.

“The best part is watching the other guy trying to get Trump off the stage. He tries like 5 different times lol,” one quipped, as another explained, “That guy is FIFA president Infantino who has such an ego he put his own name on this new trophy twice and still he knows that he isn't supposed to be part of these celebrations.”

A viral top comment imagined the confusion among Chelsea’s players in real time: “Sh-should I lift it now? …with him…? ok.”

One particularly pointed post compared the scene to a birthday party gone wrong: “This is like watching a child at another kids birthday party trying to blow out the candles because they’re selfish and haven’t learned the day isn’t about them. This is who millions voted for. I’ll never understand it.”

The president was also booed by portions of the 81,000-strong crowd when shown on the stadium’s jumbotron and again as he walked onto the field. After the match, he told reporters, “It was a little bit of an upset, I guess you would say. But it was a great, great match, very well played, tremendous crowd.”

Donald Trump’s awkward trophy stage moment sparks protocol questions ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

From a footballing perspective, Chelsea’s triumph capped an unpredictable and intense tournament. Palmer’s breakout performance, which included his signature folded-arm celebration, cemented his status on the world stage. “Obviously, it’s a great feeling — even better because everyone doubted us before the game,” he said.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised his players, saying, “I have no words for the players. They all deserve this and it’s a good moment.”

Despite Chelsea’s fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, their Club World Cup run featured a series of commanding wins. The final was played in front of a massive crowd, although overall tournament attendance varied widely. FIFA reported nearly 2.5 million attendees over the tournament’s duration.

Infantino, who has described Trump as a "friend," has previously noted the importance of strong US support for FIFA's global ambitions. Their collaboration comes ahead of the US-hosted 2026 World Cup.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Trump’s on-stage moment has already sparked questions about protocol and image at future global sporting ceremonies.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.