FIFA’s first attempt at an expanded Club World Cup was a mixed bag from start to finish, especially after a sensational report in foreign media claimed that the trophy eventually won by Chelsea was a replica—all because of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Chelsea earned their right to call themselves club world champions after triumphing 3-0 over Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium but were unable to get their hands on the original showpiece trophy. The original, dazzling 24-carat gold-plated Club World Cup trophy, instead of being with the champions, is currently residing in the Oval Office, where Donald Trump has declared it will stay “forever.”
During the live broadcast on DAZN, Trump revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had personally delivered the original trophy to the White House months earlier as part of the tournament’s promotional tour. When Trump asked when it would be returned, Infantino reportedly told him, “We’re never going to pick it up, you can have it forever in the Oval Office.”
So, when Chelsea captain Reece James hoisted the trophy after their dominant win, it was actually a replica crafted after FIFA handed over the original to the U.S. President.
The real trophy, made in partnership with Tiffany & Co and valued at around$230,000, has become an unexpected political keepsake in Washington D.C., complete with its iconic rotating rings and central gold disc. Rumor has it Trump hopes it will one day be enshrined in the National Archives as part of his legacy.
This news adds to an already awkward moment at the post-match ceremony where Trump decided to stay in the spotlight as Chelsea players tried to celebrate. Tournament MVP Cole Palmer, who scored twice in the final, was left confused by his decision not to leave the podium as is customary: “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t expect him to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused.”
Despite being booed by parts of the crowd before kickoff, Trump made the trophy presentation all about himself. Reports say Infantino even reserved a gold medal for Trump after the final whistle to appease the President.
So while Chelsea’s players and fans celebrated a historic victory, they did so holding a replica. The real prize? It’s already been claimed by perhaps the most powerful man in the world at the moment—all without kicking a ball.