Trump's 'political' FIFA Club World Cup interview with DAZN reporter angers soccer fans: 'This is absurd'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump caused a stir during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0.

While the Blues celebrated a commanding victory, Trump’s on-stage antics and a post-match interview became the most talked-about aspects of the evening, prompting criticism from fans and commentators alike.

Trump dodges soccer talk, touts politics in DAZN World Cup interview

Seated beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump watched from the VIP box as Chelsea overran PSG with goals from Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro. After the final whistle, the 79-year-old president stepped onto the pitch to help present the trophy, and soon after, he gave a three-and-a-half-minute interview with DAZN reporter Emily Austin.

During the interview, Austin jokingly suggested that Trump should issue an executive order to rename the sport “football” in the United States. Trump responded with a grin, “I think we could do that.”

The exchange then took a political turn. When asked about the future of US soccer, Trump dodged the topic and instead praised his own administration, “We’re doing very well on the other stage, on the political stage, on the financial stage.”

He added, “All the leaders said a year ago, ‘your country was dead and now you have the hottest country in the world’... We were doing very badly as a country, we had an incompetent administration... But now we have a hot country, it’s really hot, and I think the soccer’s gonna be hot too.”

He closed with a global message ahead of the 2026 World Cup,“It’s about unity, it’s about everybody getting together and a lot of love between countries... I guess this is probably the most international sport, so it can really bring the world together.”

Online backlash erupts over DAZN’s Trump interview during FIFA Club World Cup final

The interview ignited a firestorm online. Many fans accused DAZN of politicizing an international tournament by giving Trump airtime during the trophy presentation.

Fans from across the football community took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice their frustration.

One user asked bluntly, “Why are DAZN broadcasting a political party interview with Donald Trump? This is absurd.”

Another fan slammed the network’s coverage, saying, “Never mind how awful was that DAZN continuously politicised the game by spotlighting Trump at every chance. The core football community, the real fans, were too scared to attend because of that very man. Interviewing him was a slap in the face to everything football stands for.”

Outrage continued to build as other users labeled the segment dangerous and inappropriate,“This DAZN Trump interview is straight up propaganda.”

“This Trump interview is honestly embarrassing. DAZN & FIFA should be ashamed #ClubWorldCup.”

A particularly furious viewer didn’t hold back, “Sorry, I refuse to watch a fucking Trump interview. WTF is wrong with DAZN? Nobody wants to see this shit. F**K THAT DEVIL.”

Another post reflected disbelief, but not surprise, “I'm not surprised in the slightest given his presence at the game was inevitable, but DAZN promoting a Trump post-game interview is certainly something…”

Trump was also booed by sections of the crowd when he entered the field to present the trophy, highlighting just how polarizing his appearance was.

Trump refuses to exit stage during trophy lift

The most awkward moment of the night came during the trophy ceremony, when Trump refused to leave the stage after handing over the silverware.

Trump declined to step away from the podium as Chelsea captain Reece James prepared to lift the FIFA Club World Cup trophy following the team’s 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, July 14.

While it’s customary for dignitaries to move aside after presenting the trophy, allowing players their moment of celebration, Trump instead stayed front and center during the festivities.

Despite Chelsea’s emphatic win, the spectacle was overshadowed by the political overtones. While Chelsea fans will remember the night for their club’s global triumph, for many around the world, the lasting image will be Donald Trump refusing to exit the stage, a moment that blurred the line between sport, spectacle, and politics.

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