Chelsea's Reece James holds the championship trophy as he celebrates with teammates and President Donald Trump, second right, after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) AP

If FIFA is serious about its ideals and the unifying potential of its marquee event, it must confront the divisiveness the United States is sowing.

Photos taken of President Donald Trump at the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday showing what appear to be his severely swollen ankles have sparked new health fears among social media users.

After the match, which Trump called “a bit of an upset” in a post-game interview, Trump was asked if he could issue an executive order to rename soccer “football” in the United States. Despite the let-down match, Trump lit up when a reporter suggested penning a new executive order officially renaming soccer “football” in the US.

An expanded Club World Cup marked by empty seats, slashed ticket prices, searing heat, weather-delayed matches and a criticized field surface ended in a surprise victory by Chelsea, the fourth-best team in the Premier League.

Trump was right in the middle of the English side’s players as captain Reece James received the trophy and then lifted it above his head. Video appeared to show FIFA President Gianni Infantino gesturing for Trump to leave the players to it, but Trump stayed where he was.

US President Donald Trump unexpectedly took centre stage after Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup final victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday. The 79-year-old was stood next to Reece James during the trophy lift after opting to stay put,