Source: Carl Recine – FIFA / Getty
The FIFA Club World Cup drew a rowdy crowd last week in New Jersey’s MetLife Arena, hosting some of the world’s most talented soccer teams.
But there was one moment where boos took over the 80,000-person crowd as the national anthem started and President Donald Trump was shown on the Jumbotron.
Seeing (and hearing) the reaction, the camera immediately panned away from him to keep the vibes high, but that wasn’t Trump’s only blunder of the day.
In the unexpected match, Chelsea beat Paris St. Germain 3-0, and Trump was on hand to present the winner the Club World Cup trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, instead of smiling for the photo op and shuffling out of the way like he was directed, he lingered way too long.
Even Cole Palmer, who scored two goals Sunday, felt it was a bit awkward after the president overstayed his welcome.
“I was a bit confused, yes,” Palmer said, according to Yahoo Sports. “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy.”
Chelsea captain Reece James similarly explained the moment, saying, “They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage, and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Video of the celebration proves to be pretty awkward as the team hoists the trophy in the air while jumping up and down, as Trump stands in the middle, clapping.
After the game, he spoke to DAZN and joked about the age-old debate among sports fans of calling it football or soccer.
“They call it football, we call it soccer. I’m not sure if that change can be made very easily,” he said, and when asked if he could issue an executive order to permanently call it football, he said, “I think we could do that.”
Trump does love changing the names of things, like last week when he was upset over the NFL’s team changing their name from the offensive Washington Redskins to the Commanders.
“Well, you want me to make a controversial statement? I would,” Trump replied. “I wouldn’t have changed the name. It just doesn’t have the same ring to me.
See social media reacting to Trump ruining Chelsea’s winning moment below.