US President Donald Trump has officially confirmed that he will attend Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup final, set to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This high-profile appearance comes as part of Trump’s increased engagement with major sporting events during his second term in office, and follows FIFA’s announcement of a new office to be opened in Trump Tower, New York.
The final match will feature Chelsea against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain, with the championship clash taking place at the same stadium slated to host the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that the United States will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.
President Trump, who earlier this year made headlines as the first sitting US president to attend the Super Bowl, currently heads a White House task force overseeing preparations for both the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup and the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His active participation signals a significant push from the administration to integrate sports diplomacy with international engagement.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed appreciation for the US government’s collaboration, stating, “We have received such a big support from the government and from the president with the White House taskforce for the FIFA Club World Cup and for the FIFA World Cup next year.”
Infantino emphasized FIFA’s aim to expand its footprint within the United States, highlighting the opening of a second American office in New York’s Trump Tower.
“FIFA is a global organisation and to be global you have to be local, you have to be everywhere, so we have to be in New York,” he added.
FIFA already operates an office in Miami, but the Trump Tower location is seen as a strategic move to enhance coordination with US officials and reinforce the organization’s visibility ahead of the 2026 global showpiece.
The decision to locate FIFA’s office in a Trump-owned property has generated conversation, particularly in light of ongoing criticism over the president’s strict immigration stance.
Since assuming office for a second term, Trump has expanded his controversial travel ban, initially affecting 12 countries, and is reportedly considering an extension to include up to 36 additional nations.
Nonetheless, Infantino sought to assure the global football community that fans from around the world would be welcome, stating, “FIFA is a global organization, and to be global you have to be local… fans will be welcomed to the U.S.”
In addition to his football engagements, President Trump has bolstered his profile across other sports. He recently announced that Washington, D.C., will host the 2027 NFL Draft and has been a regular presence at UFC events, including one held in New Jersey last month.
Plans are also underway for the White House to host a UFC event in the coming year, according to Trump.
His administration’s increasing involvement with international sporting events suggests a broader strategy of combining soft power and domestic visibility through high-profile global sports.
What You Should Know
- Trump will attend the FIFA Club World Cup final on July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium, featuring Chelsea vs. PSG or Real Madrid.
- FIFA opened a Trump Tower office to bolster US ties, complementing its Miami hub, as the US hosts the Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup.
- Infantino praised Trump’s taskforce support but assured fans access despite travel bans affecting 12 countries, potentially expanding to 36..
- Trump’s sports engagement includes the Super Bowl, UFC events, and a 2027 NFL Draft in D.C.
