US President Donald Trump has made headlines after claiming that FIFA handed him the original Club World Cup trophy before the final match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) had even taken place. Chelsea won the title, but according to Trump, they were awarded a replica instead.

In an interview with broadcaster DAZN ahead of the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, Trump shared that FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited him at the White House in March and gave him the trophy.

“They said, ‘Could you hold this trophy for a little while?’ We put it in the Oval Office,” Trump said.
 “Then I asked, ‘When are you going to pick it up?’ He says, ‘We’re never going to pick it up. You can have it forever. We’re making a new one.’”

“They actually made a new one. So that was quite exciting… It’s in the Oval Office right now.”

During the same conversation, Trump also joked about changing the term "soccer" to "football" in the United States.

“They would call it football, but we call it soccer,” he said. When asked whether he could issue an order to change the name, Trump replied, “I think I could do that.”

Trump attended the final match and was spotted on the stadium’s big screen alongside First Lady Melania Trump. He later appeared on the pitch to present medals, standing alongside FIFA officials.

His extended presence surprised several Chelsea players.

“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. I was a bit confused,” said Cole Palmer, who scored two goals in the final.

Captain Reece James added, “They told me he was going to present the trophy and then exit, but he wanted to stay.”

FIFA opens new office in Trump Tower

The event comes shortly after FIFA confirmed it had opened a new office in Trump Tower, New York City, which has added to the conversation around Trump’s growing ties with the world football body.