By Martin Graham
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed his plans to attend the Fifa Club World Cup final, which will take place this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The announcement follows the opening of Fifa’s new office inside Trump Tower in New York, a move seen as reinforcing cooperation between the global football body and the U.S. administration.
The United States is staging the first version of the expanded Club World Cup tournament and will also co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada. The final match of the Club World Cup will see Chelsea take on either Real Madrid or Paris St-Germain at the same venue where the World Cup final will be played next year.
Fifa deepens ties with U.S. through Trump Tower office
Fifa president Gianni Infantino expressed gratitude for the American government’s involvement in organizing both major competitions. He highlighted the collaboration through a White House-led taskforce, overseen by Trump, which supports preparations for both the ongoing Club World Cup and next year’s global tournament.
In addition to its existing branch in Miami, Fifa’s new location in New York is intended to reinforce its engagement in the U.S. “Being a global institution means we need to have a presence locally. That’s why being in New York matters,” said Infantino.
Sporting visibility and immigration concerns
Trump’s role in sports has grown during his second term. He recently became the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl and revealed that Washington DC will serve as host for the 2027 NFL Draft. His appearances at multiple UFC events, including one held last month in New Jersey, further signal his increased involvement. A UFC event at the White House is also planned for next year.
Despite concerns surrounding U.S. immigration policies and a ban affecting 12 nations, Infantino reassured supporters that international fans would be welcomed during the tournaments. Nevertheless, reports suggest that Trump is contemplating broadening the travel restrictions to include as many as 36 more countries.
