If you were watching the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, you saw something pretty bizarre. Chelsea had just dismantled Paris Saint-Germain 3-0. The energy was electric. But when the time came for the trophy lift, the person standing dead-center wasn’t just the Chelsea captain. It was Donald Trump.
He didn't just hand over the hardware and walk away. He stayed. He grinned. He basically joined the team photo while FIFA President Gianni Infantino looked like he was trying to politely nudge a mountain out of the way. But the real story isn't the photo-bombing. It's the fact that the trophy Chelsea hoisted wasn't actually the original.
Trump kept gold club world cup trophy for himself, and honestly, the details of how that happened are pure chaos.
The Oval Office Handshake That Changed Everything
Back in March 2025, long before the first whistle blew, Gianni Infantino visited the White House. He brought along a stunning, 24-carat gold-plated masterpiece designed by Tiffany & Co. It’s a "gyroscope-like" object that looks more like a piece of NASA equipment than a traditional soccer cup.
Trump loved it.
During an interview with DAZN, Trump basically spilled the tea on the whole arrangement. He asked when FIFA was planning to come back and pick it up. According to him, the response was: "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 did.
A Trophy with Two Owners?
So, we ended up with a "Tale of Two Trophies" situation.
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- The Original: Sitting on a desk or a mantle in the White House.
- The Replica: The one Reece James and Cole Palmer actually lifted in New Jersey.
It’s a weird vibe for a major international tournament. Imagine winning the Super Bowl and finding out the Vince Lombardi Trophy you’re kissing is the backup because the President wanted the first draft. That’s exactly what happened here.
Why Trump Kept Gold Club World Cup Trophy
You have to look at the branding. This specific trophy isn't just about the teams. It actually has Gianni Infantino’s name and signature engraved on it. It’s a "new age" symbol for FIFA. For Trump, it’s the ultimate piece of "gilded" decor. He’s always had a thing for gold—look at his hotels or the redecorated Oval Office.
But it’s also political.
By keeping the trophy, Trump anchored himself to the 2025 tournament and the upcoming 2026 World Cup. It’s a power move. It says "this tournament happened on my watch, in my country." FIFA, for its part, seems totally fine with it. They even opened a representative office in Trump Tower recently. The relationship between Infantino and the Trump administration is closer than anything we’ve seen in sports politics in a long time.
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The Scene at MetLife Stadium
The final itself was a mess of emotions. Chelsea fans were ecstatic about the 3-0 win, but the atmosphere turned salty when Trump appeared on the Jumbotron. The boos were loud.
Chelsea star Cole Palmer later told reporters he was "a bit confused" by the President's presence on the podium. Captain Reece James actually asked Trump if he was going to leave the stage so they could celebrate. Trump didn’t. He just kept clapping.
It was awkward. It was loud. It was peak 2025.
The "Peace Prize" and the FIFA Connection
If you think the trophy is the only weird thing, think again. Just recently, in early 2026, reports surfaced that FIFA awarded Trump a "FIFA Peace Prize." This has caused a massive rift inside FIFA headquarters. Some officials are reportedly "deeply embarrassed" by how much the organization has tied its brand to a single political figure.
But Infantino isn't backing down. He views the U.S. as the future of the sport's revenue. If that means giving the President a gold trophy to keep in his office, he’s clearly willing to make that trade.
Is This Even Legal?
Technically, the trophy belongs to FIFA until they give it away. If the governing body of world soccer tells the President he can keep the "first edition," there isn't much the players or the fans can do.
Most people assume the trophy the winners get is the only one. This incident proved that isn't the case. FIFA has stayed pretty quiet on the "replica" vs "original" debate, but Trump hasn't. He’s been vocal about it being in the Oval Office "in perpetuity."
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What This Means for 2026
The 2026 World Cup is right around the corner. If this is how the Club World Cup ended—with the President keeping the hardware—expect the 2026 final to be even more of a spectacle.
- Security will be tighter: We've already seen threats of ICE raids and travel bans affecting fan travel.
- The "Football" vs "Soccer" Debate: Trump has even mentioned an executive order to officially call it "football" in the U.S. to match the rest of the world.
- More Gold: Don't be surprised if more trophies end up in private collections.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're following the fallout of the 2025 Club World Cup, here is what you actually need to know:
- Verify Your Merch: If you're buying "official" replicas, remember that even the players didn't get the "original" original. The value of 2025 memorabilia is spiking because of the controversy.
- Watch the 2026 Draw: The next big intersection of politics and soccer is the World Cup draw. Keep an eye on who is on stage—it’s a good indicator of how the final ceremony will go.
- Follow the Office Moves: FIFA's new office in Trump Tower is the real hub for North American soccer now. If you're looking for where the power lies in the sport, it's moved from Zurich to Manhattan.
The fact that Trump kept gold club world cup trophy might seem like a small footnote, but it’s actually a huge shift in how international sports and national politics are blending together. It’s not just a game anymore; it’s a diplomatic asset.