Immediately after winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Chelsea football team from England appeared flustered at the sight of U.S. President Donald Trump, who did not step down from the podium during the trophy ceremony.
Chelsea prepared for the trophy ceremony immediately after defeating Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France 3-0 in the final held on the 14th (Korea time) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
However, President Trump, who was presenting awards, stood next to captain Reece James, holding the trophy without moving from the center of the podium.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino signaled for Trump to move aside, but Trump continued to stand next to James.
The Chelsea players, who were awkwardly standing, ultimately lifted the trophy high while leaving President Trump standing in the middle.
According to dpa, James said, "I thought President Trump would leave the podium after handing over the trophy, but he seemed to want to stay."
Cole Palmer, who played a leading role in the team's victory with 2 goals and 1 assist, noted, "I didn't think President Trump would be on stage until we lifted the trophy," adding, "It was a bit confusing."
Meanwhile, in an interview with DAZN, the official broadcaster of the tournament during halftime of the final, President Trump responded to a question about whether he could change the terminology of soccer to football in the U.S. via an executive order by saying, "I think it could be done" while laughing.