‘This is pathetic’: World Cup’s ‘ridiculous’ Donald Trump decision sparks outrage

Last summer, United States President Donald Trump was at the center of a rather awkward moment when he was allowed to lift the trophy with Chelsea after they won the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, which was held in the United States. Apparently, there’s a good chance that could happen again with the World Cup winner this year.

According to one report, Trump has already been told that he will have permission to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy alongside the victor of this year’s tournament later this summer. Needless to say, people are not happy about it.

Trump Lifted Trophy With Chelsea

Last summer, Chelsea emerged victorious in the Club World Cup, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final. As the leader of the host nation, Trump was on hand to help award the trophy, but he did a bit more than that.

In an absolutely bizarre moment, Trump stood with the team as they triumphantly lifted the trophy in celebration. Chelsea captain Reece James could even be seen asking Trump, “Are you going to leave?” before he lifted the Trophy with Trump standing right nearby after it became clear that he wasn’t going anywhere.

THEY DID IT! @ChelseaFC lift the FIFA Club World Cup!

CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD

GLOBAL HOME OF FOOTBALL | Live All Summer Long | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC#TakeItToTheWorld#CHEPSGpic.twitter.com/44SgOhV7n7

— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025

It was a remarkably strange moment, and it sounds like it could happen again this summer.

Trump Could Lift the Trophy Again

According to a report by Ben Jacobs of the U.K. outlet talkSPORT, Trump has already been granted permission to lift the World Cup trophy on-stage with the champions during next month’s final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“The US president has already been told FIFA wish him to hand over the World Cup trophy to the eventual champions,” Jacobs wrote.

“Sources say FIFA will leave it to Trump’s own discretion as to whether he wishes to stay in with the team during the lift or remain with other executives during the ceremony,” Jacobs reports, adding that “White House insiders believe Trump will again choose to celebrate with the victorious team.”

Jacobs reports that Mexican and Canadian officials will also be invited to appear at the closing ceremony, as co-hosts of the tournament, but it’s not clear whether or not they will have the same access to the trophy celebration as Trump – or if they would be interested in partaking in it, even if they were permitted.

‘Disgrace to the game’

Needless to say, this decision from FIFA quickly sparked outrage from fans, who expressed their displeasure on social media.

“Beyond ridiculous. No politician or suit should be anywhere near that stage. Disgrace to the game,” one fan wrote in a post on X.

“Protocols exist to ensure that the event is bigger than any individual, regardless of the power they hold allowing trump to break a FIFA protocol is putting one person’s vanity and ego above what matters most: the athletes and the committee this is pathetic,” someone else added.

“You can’t be serious man,” another fan wrote.

“This is ridiculous. He should be nowhere near the winning team. That moment should be for them & their country. Football’s biggest moment shouldn’t be shared with politicians,” someone else added.

“Iran has the chance to do the funniest thing,” someone joked.

“Literal toddler energy,” another fan added.

We’ll have to see whether or not Trump decides to lift the trophy with the team. But based on what happened last year, it would seem likely that he will.

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