Trump attends FIFA Club World Cup final amid assassination attempt anniversary

On July 13, 2025, Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, made a notable appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup final held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This event coincided with the one-year anniversary of an assassination attempt he survived during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Despite the significance of this date, Trump did not have any public plans to commemorate the event. Accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, he attended the final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain, providing him a sneak peek into the level of international soccer culture as the United States gets ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also be hosted in North America. Following his inauguration, Trump has often participated in prominent sporting events throughout the country, establishing a connection with the broader sports community. His participation in the FIFA Club World Cup is significant, given the strategic relationship he has fostered with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The alliance between them includes the establishment of the White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which aims to promote and prepare for the event that is expected to attract a massive number of fans from across the world. The architects of the World Cup anticipate that it will create a substantial economic impact in the host cities, particularly in tourism and related sectors. Trump has historically utilized popular culture and sporting events to enhance his political presence and soft power. His support for soccer, although surprising given the sport's status in the U.S. relative to American football and basketball, can be traced back to his personal connections and familial interests. Infantino himself noted during a recent press conference the influence of Trump’s son, Barron, as a fan of the sport, describing how this personal interest could shape the former president's engagement with soccer culture. Moreover, Trump's approval of the FIFA Club World Cup, coupled with his loyal fan base, demonstrates how sporting events can serve as platforms for political engagement and influence. As the countdown begins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Trump's appearance at the Club World Cup final can also be viewed as a trial run for the upcoming international tournament, with the same MetLife Stadium set to host the World Cup final. This expectation places additional significance on the visibility of Trump at such sports events, highlighting how personal relationships with influential figures in international sports organizations like FIFA can affect public perception and national pride.