On Sunday, July 13, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, marking a high-profile appearance at one of the world’s most anticipated soccer events. The announcement, made during a Cabinet meeting on July 8, underscores the growing ties between the Trump administration and FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, as the United States prepares to host both the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
🚨🇺🇸 U.S. President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's Club World Cup final in New York. [@espn] pic.twitter.com/U48A1ushqd
— CFC-Blues (@CFCBlues_com) July 10, 2025
The FIFA Club World Cup Final
The final, a culmination of the inaugural expanded Club World Cup featuring 32 of the world’s top club teams, will see Premier League side Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, depending on the outcome of the semifinal matches held on July 8 and 9. MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Jets and Giants, will also host the 2026 World Cup final, making this event a significant preview of next year’s global spectacle.
Strengthening Ties with FIFA
Trump’s attendance at the final comes on the heels of FIFA’s decision to open a new office in New York’s Trump Tower, a move announced on July 7. The office opening, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo, and Eric Trump, executive vice-president of the Trump Organization, highlights the strengthening relationship between FIFA and the U.S. administration. Infantino praised the support from Trump’s government, particularly through the White House Task Force established to oversee preparations for both the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. “We have received such a big support from the government and from the President with the White House Task Force for the FIFA Club World Cup and for the FIFA World Cup next year,” Infantino said.
Symbolic Gestures and Controversy
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy, a “gaudy, golden behemoth” as described by some observers, is currently on display at Trump Tower, following a ceremonial event where Infantino presented Trump with a symbolic key to the trophy during a March visit to the White House. This gesture, along with Infantino’s frequent engagements with Trump, including visits to the Oval Office and Mar-a-Lago, has sparked both admiration and criticism. Some see it as a strategic alignment to ensure the success of the upcoming tournaments, while others, including human rights groups, have raised concerns about FIFA’s close association with Trump’s controversial immigration policies.
Trump’s Engagement with Sports
Trump’s presence at the final is part of a broader pattern of his engagement with major sporting events during his second term. He became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a Super Bowl in February 2025 and announced that Washington, D.C., will host the 2027 NFL Draft. His attendance at UFC events and plans to host one at the White House further illustrate his embrace of sports as a platform for public visibility. However, his immigration crackdown, including a travel ban affecting 12 countries and potential plans to expand restrictions to 36 more, has raised concerns about accessibility for international fans attending the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. Despite these concerns, Infantino has assured fans that they will be welcomed to the U.S., and an executive order includes exemptions for athletes and support staff attending major sporting events.
Economic and Environmental Implications
The Club World Cup, running from June 14 to July 13, 2025, is seen as a logistical dry run for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with a record 48 teams. The tournament is expected to generate significant economic impact, with Infantino claiming up to $50 billion in economic output for the U.S. However, mixed attendance at some Club World Cup matches and fears of reduced international travel due to U.S. immigration policies have tempered expectations.
Critics have also pointed to the environmental impact of the tournaments, with the 2026 World Cup’s carbon footprint estimated at 3.6 million metric tons, though some argue this is an underestimate. Additionally, more than 90 civil society groups have urged FIFA to leverage its influence to address concerns about Trump’s immigration policies, warning that failure to do so could tarnish the organization’s reputation.
A Stage for Sports and Politics
As Trump prepares to take his seat at MetLife Stadium, the final represents more than a soccer match—it’s a moment where sports, politics, and global diplomacy intersect. With the world watching, the event will test the U.S.’s ability to host a global tournament amid complex political dynamics, setting the stage for the even larger spectacle of the 2026 World Cup.
Looking Ahead to the Match
For soccer fans, the focus remains on the pitch, where the world’s best clubs will battle for the prestigious trophy. For Trump, it’s another opportunity to shine in the global spotlight, reinforcing his administration’s role in bringing major sporting events to American soil.
