Trump caught pocketing FIFA Club World Cup medal during ceremony, Internet divided over awkward moment

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump stirred controversy after claiming he’s keeping the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, following an eventful night at MetLife Stadium where Chelsea triumphed 3-0 over Paris Saint-Germain.

Now, a video from the award ceremony shows him pocketing a winner's medal while on the podium with the winning team, triggering divided opinions

Trump attended the final in New Jersey and participated in the medal and trophy presentation alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. While Chelsea fans celebrated their club being crowned world champions, Trump’s unexpected pocketing of the souvenir sparked debate and surprise.

Trump pockets Club World Cup medal, keeps original trophy in Oval Office after Chelsea win

After Chelsea’s 3-0 victory, Trump stood beside Infantino to distribute medals to the team. But once all medals were handed out, the 79-year-old was still seen holding one. In a moment caught on camera, he discreetly slipped the extra medal into his inner suit pocket after exchanging a glance with Infantino.

According to The Athletic, Infantino quietly reserved a winner’s medal for Trump and handed it to him after the official ceremony. It's still unclear whether Trump retained the medal, similar to how he kept the original Club World Cup trophy, which now reportedly sits in the Oval Office.

The spectacle continued as Trump, instead of stepping aside after presenting Chelsea captain Reece James with the Club World Cup trophy, remained on the podium amid the jubilant team celebrations. He was seen smiling and standing near Cole Palmer as players danced around him.

Trump later told DAZN that the trophy now resides in the Oval Office. “I said, When are you going to pick up the trophy?” he recalled. “[They said] ‘We’re never going to pick it up. You can have it forever in the Oval Office. We’re making a new one.’”

“And they actually made a new one [for Chelsea]. So that was quite exciting, but right now [the original] is in the Oval,” he further mentioned.

Internet divided over Trump pocketing FIFA medal during Club World Cup ceremony

Trump pocketing a FIFA Club World Cup winners medal after Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over PSG has sparked a fierce online debate.

Many users on X (formerly Twitter) mocked the surreal moment, with one writing, “Crazy how he’s winning trophies without even playing while some of y’all still losing in Sunday league.”

Another added, “FIFA has never given medals to any head of state or anyone handing them, medals are for the teams.”

Supporters argued it was a clear gift from FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Was obviously a gift from FIFA, Infantino gave him the thumbs up as he was putting it in his pocket,” a user claimed.

Another said, “They gave him the trophy and the medal to display in the White House. The players get a different one. Your hate for Trump causes you to say dumb things.”

A more measured take read: “It appears that the medal was given to Trump, and he held onto it during the ceremony. FIFA president seemed ready to take the medal from him to free up his hands. But instead, Trump slipped it into his pocket to keep it out of the way. Which prompted a thumbs-up from the FIFA president.”

Others weren’t buying it. “The problem with the rest of the world is they have THIS response when he does things that are wrong,” wrote one critic. Another added bluntly, “If Trump would steal in front of your very eyes, what will he do when you are not looking?”

Trump booed at Club World Cup final, jokes about renaming soccer 'football' ahead of 2026 World Cup

Trump’s appearance at the game sparked mixed reactions from the 80,000-strong crowd, who greeted him with both cheers and boos. Still, he described the atmosphere as positive, telling reporters afterward, “We had a great time.” He also praised the turnout, calling the crowd “tremendous.”

During a sideline interview with DAZN, Trump joked that he might issue an executive order mandating Americans call soccer “football,” adding, “I think we could do that.”

The president also praised the rising popularity of soccer in the US.

“The US is doing very well on the political stage, on the financial stage,” Trump said, referencing recent trips to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. “All the leaders said ‘a year ago your country was dead, and now you have the hottest country in the world.’”

The Club World Cup final served as a prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA has projected that up to 6.5 million fans will attend matches across 16 host cities. The expanded tournament will feature a record 48 national teams.

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