US president’s appearance at Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea match reflects strategic use of sport as soft power
By AFP

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to attend the final of the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday, further signaling his unexpected yet increasingly visible interest in football—also known as soccer in the United States.

The final, which features Paris Saint-Germain facing off against Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, serves as both a political and personal showcase for Trump. With the same venue set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, the president’s presence is being seen as a soft power play ahead of next year’s global spectacle and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Trump has repeatedly referred to these high-profile international sporting events as part of the “Golden Age of America” under his second term in office.

Politics, Personal Ties, and Football

Trump’s close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino has also played a role in his heightened involvement in the sport. Infantino, a frequent visitor to the White House, recently presented the FIFA Club World Cup trophy to Trump during a March visit. Since then, the gold-plated trophy has reportedly held a place of honor beside the president’s desk in the Oval Office.

“President Trump immediately understood the importance of the Club World Cup and next year’s World Cup,” Infantino said at a press event Saturday at FIFA’s new offices in Trump Tower, New York.

While Trump has often projected a nationalist “America First” stance, his embrace of global football appears to stem in part from personal reasons. His 19-year-old son Barron is a passionate fan, and according to Infantino, that’s helped shape the president’s interest.

“He told me his son loves football, and as a parent, you love what your children love,” Infantino said. “So I think he loves the game too.”

Trump himself is said to have briefly played the sport during his time at the New York Military Academy.

A Sport with Influence—and Controversy

Trump’s support for football, a sport that still trails behind American football, baseball, and basketball in the U.S., may seem surprising. But his flair for tapping into global popularity and influence has long shaped his political strategy.

He proudly noted during Infantino’s White House visit that the U.S. was awarded hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup during his first term—something he didn’t expect to witness as president until his return to office in 2025.

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup has also proven more successful than many critics expected, drawing about 2.5 million fans to stadiums across the country.

Still, Trump hasn’t abandoned his characteristic flair for controversy. When he hosted Italian club Juventus at the White House in June, his remarks turned political as he launched into criticism of transgender athletes before awkwardly asking, “Could a woman make your team, fellas?” Juventus GM Damien Comolli replied diplomatically, “We have a very good women’s team.” Trump quipped, “He’s being very diplomatic.”

Immigration and the 2026 World Cup

Despite the celebratory tone around the tournament, concerns remain. Trump’s strict immigration policies—core to his “America First” agenda—have raised alarms among international fans planning to attend the 2026 World Cup.

In May, Vice President JD Vance sought to reassure skeptics, saying, “Fans are welcome to come… but when the time is up they will have to go home.”

As Trump prepares to take his seat at Sunday’s final, the message is clear: for the president, football isn’t just a game—it’s another arena in which to project American prestige, personal pride, and political influence on the world stage.