Trump Booed at Club World Cup Final, Praises Pele as Soccer’s GOAT

U.S. President Donald Trump received a mixed reaction of boos and cheers during his appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event, seen as a major lead-up to the 2026 World Cup that will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, saw Chelsea dominate Paris St Germain with a 3-0 win.

Trump, seated alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, was shown briefly on the jumbotron during the U.S. national anthem, prompting a loud chorus of boos from the crowd. Despite the reaction, Trump remained active throughout the event, fist-pumping after Chelsea’s win and later joining the team on the field during the trophy ceremony. He handed Chelsea their trophy, posed for photos with the team, and presented Cole Palmer with the golden ball award, while stadium music played over the crowd noise.

In a post-match interview with DAZN, Trump praised Brazilian legend Pele as soccer’s greatest of all time, citing his personal memories of watching Pele play for the New York Cosmos in 1975. “I came to watch Pele, and he was fantastic. That’s like saying Babe Ruth,” Trump said.

Trump has increasingly leveraged major sporting events during his second term, becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl and frequently appearing at UFC fights. He recently announced that Washington, D.C. would host the 2027 NFL Draft and has expressed interest in hosting UFC bouts at the White House.

Meanwhile, FIFA has opened a new office at Trump Tower in New York ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will feature a record 48 national teams. Trump's appearance came just a day after he proposed a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the EU.