Trump Displays Chelsea's Club World Cup Trophy in Oval Office
This week, the White House shared a photograph of US President Donald Trump meeting with world leaders in the Oval Office, drawing attention from football fans who noticed an unexpected piece of silverware prominently displayed.
The Club World Cup trophy, which Chelsea won by defeating Paris St-Germain in July at a match held in New Jersey, was visible in the president's office in Washington, D.C.
The image sparked discussions on social media, with many questioning the presence of 'Chelsea's trophy' in one of the world's most significant offices just weeks after Enzo Maresca's team secured the title at Metlife Stadium.
After the final in July, President Trump mentioned that he was informed he could retain the trophy as a token of appreciation for the United States hosting the month-long tournament. He recounted in an interview with DAZN, "I asked, 'When are you going to pick up the trophy?' They replied, 'We're never going to pick it up. You can have it forever in the Oval Office; we're making a new one.'"
He added, "And they actually made a new one. So that was quite exciting, but it is in the Oval Office right now."
However, FIFA clarified that this is not entirely accurate. There are actually three Club World Cup trophies in existence. The original engraved trophy is housed at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, as is standard for all FIFA trophies, including the World Cup.
A replica trophy is owned by Chelsea, which they showcased during a pre-season friendly match against AC Milan. The third version is the one currently displayed in the Oval Office, which FIFA stated is there in "recognition of the exceptional hosts of the 2025 tournament," according to BBC Sport.
The Club World Cup, which took place across 11 cities in the US, was described by organizers as the "world's most successful club competition." However, it faced criticism for low attendance, with over a million empty seats during the tournament, as well as concerns regarding weather conditions and the quality of the pitches in the US.
In a notable moment, Trump presented the trophy to Chelsea but remained on stage after the presentation, celebrating with the players, who expressed their confusion. After Chelsea's victory, Trump handed the trophy to captain Reece James before being asked to step aside by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Despite this, Trump stayed alongside James and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, cheering as James lifted the trophy, remaining for a few moments before he and Infantino exited from the back of the stage.
Looking ahead, the United States, in collaboration with Canada and Mexico, will co-host the men's World Cup in 2026 next summer.