Trump attends as Chelsea wins Club World Cup in spectacle

This spectacle resembled more of a Super Bowl buildup than a typical football match between two European giants. The anticipation for Sunday's Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris St-Germain was vibrant, enthralling, and perhaps slightly bewildering for international football fans.

The Grand Premiere: A Star-Studded Opening Ceremony

The pre-match festivities at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey featured:

• A military color guard procession
• A dramatic aerial flyover
• A performance by Robbie Williams
• An appearance by former US President Donald Trump

The elaborate production delayed kickoff by eight minutes, with the match eventually starting at 20:08 BST. While Chelsea delivered a stunning 3-0 victory on the pitch, the off-field spectacle deserves equal attention.

'Let's Get Ready to Rumble': The Three-Act Pregame Show

The official pre-match program consisted of three distinct segments:

1. The Countdown: Featuring drum performances and a massive inflatable Club World Cup trophy
2. Musical Performance: Robbie Williams and Laura Pausini debuted FIFA's new anthem "Desire"
3. Host Nation Tribute: Including the US national anthem, military displays, and fireworks

Celebrity attendees included director Spike Lee, former Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, pop star Rita Ora, and President Trump. The iconic Michael Buffer delivered his legendary "Let's get ready to rumble!" call before kickoff.

Halftime Extravaganza: Coldplay and High-Tech Production

FIFA's inaugural halftime show featured:

• Performances by Chris Martin, J Balvin, Doja Cat, and Tems
• A massive floating stage suspended from the stadium roof
• 40,000 pounds of equipment delivered by six semi-trucks

The elaborate production caused a 24-minute delay to the second half. During the break, Trump briefly commented to DAZN: "I'm having a really great time. Tremendous sport."

Heightened Security Measures

Security was exceptionally tight at MetLife Stadium, coinciding with the anniversary of the assassination attempt on Trump. Notable measures included:

• Armed Secret Service agents on-site
• Sniper teams positioned on the stadium roof
• Enhanced screening procedures for all attendees

BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella reported significantly longer entry times due to the intensified security protocols.

The Trophy Presentation: A Historic Moment

Post-match highlights included:

• A brief on-field altercation between teams
• Individual awards presentation by Trump and FIFA President Infantino
• Chelsea's Cole Palmer named Player of the Tournament
• Captain Reece James lifting the innovative trophy design

The unique Club World Cup trophy, inspired by the periodic table and Voyager's golden records, features a locking mechanism only FIFA's president can operate. Trump remained center stage during the trophy presentation, joining Chelsea's celebrations nearly three hours after kickoff.

The event marked a new era in football spectacle, blending sport and entertainment on an unprecedented scale.