5 Shocking Revelations About How Donald Trump Ended Up Keeping A FIFA World Cup Trophy
The sensational claim that former President Donald Trump kept a FIFA World Cup trophy is not a rumor—it's a bizarre, confirmed anecdote involving one of the world's most prestigious soccer governing bodies. As of late 2025, the story continues to resurface, detailing how the original trophy from a major international tournament allegedly found a permanent home not with the winning team, but inside the Oval Office. This deep dive uncovers the specific trophy involved, the key figures who allowed it, and the surprising details behind one of the most unusual pieces of presidential memorabilia.
The confusion often stems from the distinction between the main FIFA World Cup and the lesser-known, yet highly coveted, FIFA Club World Cup. The incident centers on the latter, a tournament that pits the champions of each continental confederation against each other. The trophy, reportedly a gold-plated artifact, has become a symbol of the unique and often transactional relationship between the former U.S. President and the leadership of global football.
The Trophy That Never Left the Oval Office: Facts and Claims
The trophy in question is the FIFA Club World Cup trophy, a prize competed for by elite teams from around the globe. The incident gained widespread attention following a specific tournament, which saw the trophy presented by President Trump himself alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The winning club, often a European powerhouse like Chelsea FC, traditionally takes possession of the original trophy for a period before it is returned to FIFA, and they are given a permanent, full-sized replica.
1. The Claim of Keeping the "Original" Trophy
The most shocking detail is the claim that Donald Trump retained the original, official trophy, not a replica. According to statements made by the former President, the trophy was placed in the Oval Office following the presentation ceremony. When asked when FIFA would retrieve it, he claimed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino told him to simply keep it. "We put it in the Oval Office and then I said: 'When are you going to pick up the trophy', and [Infantino] said: 'We're never going to pick up the trophy. We're going to make a new one for them'," Trump reportedly stated.
2. The Winning Team Received a "Replica"
This narrative suggests a significant departure from standard protocol. While winning teams are always given a replica to keep, the implication here is that the initial trophy presented—the one intended to be the rotating, original piece—was permanently substituted. For the winning team, such as Chelsea FC in one cited instance, this meant their celebrations were with what was immediately deemed the permanent replica, while the original remained in Washington, D.C.
3. The Role of FIFA President Gianni Infantino
The entire episode is inextricably linked to the increasingly close relationship between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino, the head of world football. Infantino's alleged instruction to "keep" the trophy is the lynchpin of the story. This gesture is seen by many as part of a broader strategy by Infantino to cultivate political alliances, particularly in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Broader Context: Trump's Entanglements with Global Football
The Club World Cup trophy incident is not an isolated event. It fits into a pattern of unusual interactions and awards bestowed upon the former President by FIFA's leadership. These events highlight the political maneuvering and the blurring of lines between global sports governance and high-level international politics.
4. The Inaugural FIFA Peace Prize
In a separate, highly scrutinized event, Donald Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize at a World Cup draw ceremony. This award was unprecedented and drew immediate criticism, as it was seen as being invented solely to honor the President. The controversy was amplified by reports that the White House made "bizarre demands" for the prize, including that the trophy should be as large as the actual, iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy.
This perceived eagerness to please the U.S. President further fueled speculation that FIFA, under Infantino, was attempting to secure a favorable political environment for its major upcoming tournaments in the United States. The creation of a new honor and the alleged gifting of the Club World Cup trophy are viewed through the same lens of political accommodation.
5. The Medal Incident and Other Memorabilia
Adding to the collection of FIFA-related items, President Trump was also seen quietly pocketing one of the championship medals during the same Club World Cup event where the trophy was presented. While seemingly minor, this detail reinforces the perception that the former President was accumulating football memorabilia from the event, with the alleged retention of the main trophy being the most significant acquisition.
The confluence of the peace prize, the medal incident, and the Club World Cup trophy saga paints a picture of a unique, almost proprietary, relationship between the former U.S. administration and the governing body of global soccer.
Topical Authority: The FIFA Club World Cup and Its Significance
To fully grasp the magnitude of this incident, it is crucial to understand the FIFA Club World Cup. This tournament, though less famous than the quadrennial World Cup, is a major event. It features the champions of six continental confederations—AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North, Central America, and Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe)—plus the host nation's league champion.
The trophy itself is a symbol of global club supremacy. It is a gold-plated, 50-centimeter-high award that is meant to travel the world, representing the pinnacle of club football. The claim that this internationally recognized symbol of athletic achievement now resides permanently in a political office is an extraordinary claim that football fans and political observers alike continue to debate.
Future Implications for US Soccer and FIFA
The controversy over the trophy and the peace prize has long-term implications, especially as the United States prepares to co-host the massive 2026 World Cup. The incidents raise questions about the integrity of FIFA's governance and its susceptibility to political influence. For US Soccer and the broader American football community, these entanglements can be a distraction from the sport's growth and its moment on the global stage.
The legacy of the "trophy that stayed" will likely endure as a footnote in both political and sports history, a bizarre intersection where the world of international football and the Oval Office unexpectedly collided. Whether the original trophy will ever be retrieved remains an open question, but for now, the story of the FIFA Club World Cup trophy's permanent residency in the White House is a testament to the strange power dynamics at play in global sports and politics.
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