When Football Meets Politics: Chelsea’s Club World Cup Trophy in the White House

A recent photo released by the White House showing U.S. President Donald Trump with world leaders in the Oval Office sparked intrigue among football fans. Sitting prominently on display in the background was the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, the same silverware Chelsea lifted after defeating Paris Saint-Germain in July at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, Sport360NG reports.

The sight of the trophy in Washington, just weeks after Enzo Maresca’s side celebrated their triumph, raised questions on social media about how it ended up in one of the world’s most famous offices.

Trump later explained that organisers of the tournament, which was hosted across 11 U.S. cities, told him the Oval Office could permanently house a version of the trophy as a gesture to the host nation.

“I asked when they’d be coming to collect it,” Trump told DAZN. “They said, ‘We’re not taking it back. It’s yours forever in the Oval Office, we’ve made a new one.’ So that was pretty exciting.”

FIFA, however, clarified that there are three separate versions of the trophy. The original is kept at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, as with all of the governing body’s major prizes. A second replica belongs to Chelsea, who showed it off during a pre-season friendly against AC Milan. The third, FIFA confirmed, was given to the U.S. president in “recognition of the 2025 tournament’s exceptional hosts.”

The expanded Club World Cup, billed by organisers as “the world’s most successful club competition,” drew mixed reviews. While it showcased elite clubs, it also struggled with poor attendances, more than a million empty seats were recorded, alongside criticism of weather conditions and pitch quality.

Trump’s involvement in the final also drew headlines. After presenting the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, the former president lingered on stage, clapping alongside James and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez as they lifted the silverware. FIFA president Gianni Infantino eventually ushered him aside before the pair left the stage.

The U.S. is set for another global football spotlight next summer when it co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.