"Is it the Super Bowl or soccer?" The FIFA Club World Cup final, held within a massive American show, felt somewhat unfamiliar to traditional British soccer fans.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on the 14th (Korean time), "The final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) received more attention for its dazzling surrounding presentation than the game itself."
The final of the 2025 Club World Cup, held on the 14th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, showcased the pinnacle of American sports events even before kickoff. Amidst a presentation reminiscent of the NFL Super Bowl, the two European powerhouses, Chelsea and PSG, made their appearance, and the atmosphere peaked when U.S. President Donald Trump personally attended the event.
The BBC noted, "The match started 8 minutes later than scheduled," adding, "The pre-event presentation that took place before then was a performance in itself."
The official pre-kickoff session was divided into three parts. During the "final countdown" session, a large model of the Club World Cup trophy and a drum performance were showcased, and singers Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini passionately performed FIFA's new official anthem, "Desire."
Following this, a dazzling presentation themed around America continued, featuring the U.S. national anthem, a color guard, fighter jet flyovers, and fireworks, culminating in the iconic ring announcer Michael Buffer shouting, "Let’s get ready to rumble!" to signal the start of the match.
The entrance into the stands was also glamorous with celebrities. Filmmaker Spike Lee, former Qatari emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, singer Rita Ora, and President Trump himself all walked the red carpet at MetLife Stadium. The atmosphere for the final was set outside the ground even before kickoff.
During halftime, FIFA's first official halftime show in history also took place. The BBC reported, "The performance featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems was held on a large stage set up above the stadium."
For this performance, a remarkable six large trucks were deployed, and equipment and structures weighing up to 20,000 kg were installed. FIFA set up the stage in a space beneath a roof to prevent damage to the grass, which caused the start of the second half to be delayed by 24 minutes after halftime ended.
PSG players were already waiting on the field beforehand, while Chelsea players only revealed themselves after the performance concluded. After the performance, President Trump participated in a brief interview with DAZN reporter Emily Austin, stating, "It's really a great time. An incredible sport," expressing his affection for soccer.
This final coincided with the anniversary of an assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, leading to heightened security measures. The BBC quoted local reporter Nizar Kinsella, saying, "Security checks at the stadium took more than twice as long as usual when entering." It also reported that the atmosphere in the stadium, which has a capacity of 82,500 seats, noticeably stiffened. Armed U.S. Secret Service agents were deployed on-site, and snipers were stationed on the roof.
The award ceremony was also dramatized by Trump's presence. After a brief scuffle between players from both teams following the match, President Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented the trophy together.
The top scorer was Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid, the Young Player award went to Desire Due of PSG, and the Golden Glove was awarded to Chelsea goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez. The tournament MVP was Chelsea's Cole Palmer, who scored two goals in the final.
The final trophy was lifted by Chelsea captain Reece James. According to the BBC, this trophy was designed based on the periodic table and the golden record carried by the Voyager spacecraft, and it can be opened and closed only with a special key accessible solely to FIFA President Infantino.
Just before the end of the event, President Trump did not retreat backstage but remained in the middle of the Chelsea players. As Reece James raised the trophy high, the U.S. President became part of the scene.
The BBC summarized all these scenes as "an 'American-style soccer final' where everything blended together: Super Bowl-like production, diverse performances, and enhanced security." What this match left behind was not just Chelsea's victory.
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