Former U.S. President Donald Trump made waves during Chelsea’s triumphant Club World Cup final in New Jersey—not for his political presence, but for a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that could rile up NFL purists. After Chelsea’s dominant 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, Trump floated the idea of renaming “soccer” to “football” in the United States, reigniting a long-standing cultural divide around the sport’s identity.
Chelsea Stun PSG in Club World Cup Final
Chelsea entered the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup as underdogs, facing a PSG squad stacked with international stars. But it was the Blues who delivered a clinical and commanding performance at MetLife Stadium. England youngster Cole Palmer stole the spotlight with two goals and an assist, earning him the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.
The 3-0 result stunned fans and pundits alike, with Palmer’s display reaffirming his rising star status. “The gaffer put a great game plan out. He knew where the space was going to be,” Palmer said post-match. “We just had to deliver.”
Trump Booed, Then Center Stage for Trophy Ceremony
Though the night belonged to Chelsea, Trump’s presence added an unexpected twist. Attending the final in person, Trump was met with boos when his image appeared on the stadium’s jumbotron. Later, he remained awkwardly on stage during Chelsea’s trophy celebration, prompting confusion among players and broadcasters alike.
“I knew he was going to be there but I didn’t know he’d be up there with us,” Palmer said when asked about Trump’s prolonged appearance on the podium.
DAZN host Ade Oladipo added some humor to the moment: “I thought Donald Trump was going to lift the trophy himself at one point!”
“Chelsea’s Biggest Fan”: Trump’s Exchange With Cole Palmer
In a surprising moment during the award presentation, Trump handed Palmer the Golden Ball and shared a few personal words. According to lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman, Trump told the Chelsea star: “Chelsea’s biggest fan. I’m a big fan of you. So well done you.”
Palmer, still relatively new to the Chelsea spotlight, took the exchange in stride.
Executive Order to Rename ‘Soccer’?
The real headline-grabber came during Trump’s post-match comments, where he jokingly floated the idea of signing an executive order to replace the word “soccer” with “football” in the U.S.
When asked by reporters about the possibility, Trump replied, “I think we could do that,” referencing Chelsea’s win as a “bit of an upset” and calling the sport “a unifying force” ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States.
“This is probably the most international sport,” he added. “It really can bring the world together.”
A Turning Point for Chelsea?
Beyond the off-field drama, Chelsea’s performance could mark a significant turning point in their season. Manager Enzo Maresca has faced criticism throughout the campaign, but Palmer’s comments suggest belief is growing within the squad.
“Everyone has talked a lot of [trash] about us all season, but I feel like we are going in the right direction,” Palmer said.
With silverware secured and momentum building, Chelsea fans may start believing again—no matter what the sport is called.
