'Embarrassing': Trump keeps Club World Cup trophy and forces winners to hold fake award

14 Jul 2025, 21:52 by https://www.facebook.com/17108852506 · AlterNet

U.S. President Donald Trump looks at the golden glove trophy next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup final, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S., July 13, 2025. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Ailia Zehra
July 14, 2025 | 05:52PM ETFrontpage news and politics

President Donald Trump has reportedly revealed that the winners of the Club World Cup won’t be receiving the original tournament trophy, because he’s decided to keep it himself.

Speaking with reporter Emily Austin Sunday, Trump confirmed that the Chelsea soccer team received a replica version of the trophy after their victory, according to the Daily Beast.

The Athletic reported Monday that FIFA President Gianni Infantino set aside a winner’s medal for Trump and handed it to him after the ceremony. While it’s unclear whether Trump kept the medallion, his fondness for gold is well-documented.

England's Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the final match, held Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

After the game, Trump unexpectedly joined the team on the podium during the trophy presentation, leaving players visibly puzzled. Trump was invited to present the trophy at the Club World Cup final. After handing it to Chelsea captain Reece James following their 3‑0 win over Paris Saint‑Germain, Trump lingered — despite Infantino’s subtle urging to step aside — leaving the players uncertain around him as they prepared to celebrate.

A clip from that moment went viral on social media, with many describing it as "embarrassing."

It later emerged that the trophy held aloft by Chelsea captain Reece James was actually a replica. The original award, designed with Tiffany & Co. and valued at roughly $230,000, now sits in the Oval Office after FIFA’s president allowed Trump to display it there. The trophy is adorned with a central disc and three rotating outer rings, all plated in 24-carat gold, per reports.

“They [FIFA] said: ‘Could you hold this trophy for a little while?’ We put it in the Oval Office and then I said: ‘When are you going to pick up the trophy’, and [Infantino] said: ‘We’re never going to pick it up, you can have it forever in the Oval Office,’” Trump told DAZN during the match.