By Samuel Akpan/agency report
The highly anticipated FIFA Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at MetLife Stadium will have an added layer of excitement with the attendance of Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the United States.
Trump has confirmed his presence at the match, which kicks off at 3:00 pm local time (1900 GMT).
As a guest of honour, Trump is expected to be involved in the trophy presentation.
Given Trump’s high-profile status, security measures around the stadium will be significantly enhanced.
The Secret Service, FIFA security personnel, and local law enforcement in New Jersey will work together to ensure Trump’s safety.
“With a sitting president of the United States, everything is different,” said an industry source with experience hosting prominent figures.
Expect a substantially expanded security perimeter, potential airspace restrictions, thorough security screenings, and possible traffic disruptions in the vicinity of the stadium, the source also said.
According to Jordan McGrath, co-founder of VIS Protection, a private security firm, preparation for Trump’s visit will involve a detailed reconnaissance of the venue and assessment of existing security measures.
“You’ll speak to venue staff about your plan and how they can help you and your team with entry and exits,” McGrath added.
“Contingency plans for vehicles and emergency vehicle access will also be crucial.”
The Club World Cup final promises to be an electrifying encounter between PSG, the reigning European champions, and Chelsea, who are looking to cap off their season with a trophy. PSG have been in scintillating form, thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals, while Chelsea secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 win over Fluminense.
Despite being favourites, PSG’s coach Luis Enrique emphasized the importance of ending the season on a high note.
Both finalists are assured of pocketing over $100 million in prize money, a significant boost for Chelsea, which was recently fined by UEFA for breaching financial rules.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hailed the tournament as marking the start of “the golden era of club football.”
The 2025 edition is notable for its expanded format, featuring 32 teams from around the world.
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