From left is U.S president Donald Trump, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, and a FIFA official handing a Club World Cup 2025 at the Oval Office. Image: TouchlineX on X
US President Donald Trump has revealed that he will be keeping the original FIFA Club World Cup trophy in the Oval Office, while Chelsea FC, the winner of the tournament, will be left with a replica. The decision has sparked controversy among football fans, with many questioning the unusual arrangement.
Chelsea FC defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final of the Club World Cup on July 13, held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Following the victory, Trump joined the team on stage to celebrate their win, drawing mixed reactions from the players and fans. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who scored twice in the game, expressed surprise at Trump’s extended presence during the trophy ceremony, saying, “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused.”
The FIFA Club World Cup trophy is a stunning piece of craftsmanship, designed to symbolize global unity through football. Made from a blend of gold, silver, and bronze, the trophy features six curved arms representing the six continental confederations, topped with a globe made from gold and bronze. The original trophy, valued at $230,000, was crafted in collaboration with Tiffany & Co and features a 24-carat gold-plated coating.
Trump’s relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears to be close, with FIFA recently opening a new office in Trump Tower, New York City. Trump jokingly mentioned he could issue an executive order to change the name of “soccer” to “football” in the United States.
The decision to keep the original trophy in the Oval Office has raised questions about the norms of trophy handling in sports. Typically, FIFA keeps the original trophies, and winners are given replicas to keep. UEFA, for instance, keeps the original Champions League trophy, and clubs are required to return it after a certain period. The exact details of the arrangement between Trump and FIFA remain unclear, but it appears that Chelsea FC will be keeping a high-quality replica of the trophy.
There are currently three identical Club World Cup trophies in existence: one held by Trump, one by FIFA, and one by Chelsea. While the replicas are visually identical to the original, they carry less intrinsic value. The original trophy, now residing in the Oval Office, is a symbol of the tournament’s prestige and significance in the football world.
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