US President Donald Trump has made a bold statement that the Club World Cup trophy, which has prominently been displayed in the Oval Office since Chelsea’s victory on Sunday, will remain there permanently. According to Trump, FIFA created a replica of the trophy that was awarded to Chelsea after their win in the tournament’s final.
Trump attended the final alongside several members of his cabinet and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The pair of presidents jointly presented the trophy to Chelsea’s captain, Reece James. However, the scene became somewhat awkward as Trump took centre stage, despite some confusion among Chelsea’s players and Infantino’s attempts to step in.
This incident is just the latest in a series of notable moments between the US president and FIFA, which have increased significantly since Trump’s second term began earlier this year. In March, Infantino unveiled the Club World Cup trophy at an event in the Oval Office, and since then, it has become a fixture in the iconic space.
During an interview with the official Club World Cup broadcaster, Dazn, Trump stated: “I said, ‘When are you going to pick up the trophy?’ 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. So that was quite exciting, but it is in the Oval [Office] right now.”
It remains unclear whether there are any notable differences between the original and the replica trophies. FIFA has been contacted for further clarification.
In the same interview, Trump also mused that he could issue an executive order mandating that soccer be called “football” in the United States. He also mentioned that leaders from other countries have referred to the US as “the hottest country in the world,” referencing the country’s booming economy and its political clout.
On the significance of FIFA bringing both the Club World Cup and the men’s World Cup to the United States, Trump stated, “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.”
However, the second Trump administration’s handling of World Cup planning has encountered challenges. Travel bans imposed on certain countries could affect fans hoping to travel to the US for the games, though exceptions are made for athletes and staff. There are also concerns regarding potential ICE raids during the tournament and lengthy visa processing times for foreign visitors.