US President Donald Trump marked the one-year anniversary of a past assassination attempt on Sunday by attending the FIFA Club World Cup final along with family, friends, and advisors to watch Chelsea defeat Paris Saint-Germain.
Following Chelsea’s victory, Trump joined players on the field. He congratulated the tournament’s top performers, presented runner-up medals to PSG players, and awarded Chelsea the championship trophy.
“It was an upset today I guess,” Trump told reporters after returning to Washington. “But it was a great match.”
THE TROPHY IS OURS!!! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/FhvHlgNO3c
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 13, 2025
Mr. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received a warm welcome upon their arrival at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey before the pre-match performances by Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini. However, there was a mixed reaction when the president appeared briefly on the stadium’s mega-screen, with some boos audible.
Chelsea dominated the game, preventing PSG from securing their fourth major title of the season. They quickly established a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half.
This match coincided with the one-year anniversary of the assassination attempt Trump survived during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I firmly believe that God saved me that day for a specific reason: to restore our nation to greatness and protect it from those who want to destroy it,” Trump stated in a press release after he got back to Washington.
He also expressed his gratitude to the doctors, emergency personnel, and rally attendees who helped guide others to safety, commending them as “ordinary Americans” who became “heroes.”
The international sports event also allowed Trump and his staff to meet with Qatari government representatives.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, told reporters before the game that he “remained hopeful” regarding the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
When questioned by reporters about whether he intended to meet with top officials from Qatar, who are mediating talks with Hamas, Witkoff, who was with Trump for the tournament, gave a nod.
“I’ll be meeting them,” Mr. Witkoff said.
Since taking office this year, Trump has frequently attended sporting events.
He has attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Daytona 500 in Florida, UFC events in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, and the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia, in addition to this weekend’s soccer match.
