U.S. President Donald Trump faced loud boos on Sunday, July 13, during the FIFA Club World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The event marked a key moment in the U.S.-hosted tournament, with fans loudly expressing their disapproval as Trump appeared on-screen on the jumbotron.
The crowd began booing Trump early in the evening.
Highlights
- President Donald Trump was loudly booed multiple times during the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Fans booed Trump both during the national anthem and when he appeared on the jumbotron throughout the evening.
- Trump handed the trophy to Chelsea and stayed onstage despite FIFA President Infantino asking him to leave, prompting player Cole Palmer's comment.
- The final coincided with the first anniversary of the attempted Trump assassination, and Trump reflected on it briefly during an interview.
- FIFA recently deepened ties with Trump, moving some operations to Trump Tower as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
Donald Trump was booed several times at the FIFA Club World Cup final
Image credits: Alex Grimm/Getty Images
According to reports from USA Today, the first round of boos came during the national anthem and later when Trump appeared on the screen.
Reporters from The Washington Post and CBS News confirmed that the boos were loud and heard throughout the stadium.
Trump later returned to the field to hand out trophies and awards to Chelsea, who upset European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final.
Again, fans reacted with boos and some cheers.
The Daily Mail also recalled how Trump stayed on the stage throughout the celebration, after giving the trophy to Chelsey captain Reece James.
He was asked to leave the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but chose to stay put and celebrate with the winning team.
This led to Cole Palmer, who won the Golden Ball award, to mutter, “What’s he doing?”
Later, during a press conference, Palmer said: “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn't know he was going to be on the stand where we lift the trophy, so I was a bit confused.”
Image credits: David Ramos/Getty Images
The FIFA Club World Cup, a global tournament for champion club teams, serves as a preview for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In 2026, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host the World Cup. The final match of that World Cup will also be played at MetLife Stadium.
The boos on Sunday could signal how American fans might react next year, when Trump may have a greater presence during the larger international tournament.
Adding to the significance of the day, the final took place on the first anniversary of the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
During a televised interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, the president briefly reflected on the shooting, saying he was unaware of what was happening at the moment, and simply remembered being “whacked.”
Trump was joined in the VIP box by several high-profile allies and figures, including First Lady Melania Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, football legend Tom Brady, media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and Infantino.
Also present was Melania Trump, as well as Pam Bondi, who is facing criticism for not releasing the Epstein Files
Image credits: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, was also present and said he planned to meet with Qatari officials about peace talks regarding Gaza.
Bondi’s appearance next to Trump seemed to show his public support for her, despite growing criticism from MAGA supporters that she has not released incriminating files related to sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Vice President JD Vance also faced public backlash over the weekend. He was seen at Disneyland in California with his family, where visitors booed him as he walked through the park. Videos posted on TikTok showed the reaction, with one clip capturing a mix of boos and applause.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Vance for vacationing while immigration raids were underway.
On social media, Newsom wrote, “Hope you enjoy your family time, @JDVance. The families you’re tearing apart certainly won’t.”
Vance replied, “Had a great time, thanks.”
At the Kennedy Center early in June, Donald and Melania Trump were met with jeers from attendees as they entered the theater for a performance of Les Misérables, said to be one of Trump’s favorite musicals.
FIFA’s relationship with Trump has deepened recently. Last week, Infantino announced that FIFA had relocated part of its operations to Trump Tower in New York City.
The move is part of a growing alliance between the sports body and Trump as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup.
Infantino said his relationship with Trump was “absolutely crucial” in a February meeting with the International Football Association Board.