EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Braving warm and steamy conditions, and added security to account for the attendance of U.S. President Donald Trump, soccer fans from across the globe filed into MetLife Stadium with little incident for the FIFA Club World Cup final.
The Sunday afternoon final is between Chelsea FC and Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain. Outside the venue, the atmosphere was festive, with fans setting up their tailgates.
There was a significant security presence around the stadium before the final. Hundreds of officers across multiple law enforcement agencies and stadium security personnel greeted fans as they entered the gates.
Among the agencies present were the Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration, New Jersey State Police — some of whom carried long guns — and K-9 units with bomb-sniffing dogs.
A person with direct knowledge of the security plan declined to share specific details because of the sensitive nature of securing the venue, but stressed that a collaborative approach among the different agencies would take place.
“Rest assured we are all engaged to ensure a safe and wonderful final,” the person, who spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss security, told USA TODAY Sports in a text message.
The perimeter, established several hundred feet outside the stadium entrances, featured 15-feet high chained fences on top of concrete bases with entry paths for fans to enter. The perimeter is a departure from NFL regular season games held here, and armed guards were posted along the entrances every hundred yards or so.
While there were fans from both England and France, the home countries of the two teams playing in the match, there was also a large contingent of Latino fans, with flags from Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Brazil visible across the parking lots.
The Club World Cup is all taking place against the backdrop of massive efforts from U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officers to deport illegal residents. Fans and critics have expressed concern major international tournament like the Club World Cup and next year’s World Cup in the United States would pose a problem for international visitors.
Sunday, fans walked through a winded line separated by metal barricades until they reached the front, where they walked through metal detectors and got their tickets scanned. If they had any bags, they were asked to check their items into a locker for the duration of the match.
Tyler Weiss, 29, is from Australia but lives in Philadelphia. A Chelsea fan, Weiss also attended last year’s Copa América match between Argentina and Chile on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
‘Compared to last year, the security has been far better,’ Weiss said. ‘The train has been far better, getting in has been far better. I felt safe. I think they’ve really learned from last year, and hopefully they learn a few things again for next year.’
The FIFA World Cup final is also set to take place at MetLife Stadium, on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
After entering, fans were able to pick up black and gold Club World Cup squared towels as a keepsake. They also found a clear spot to pose for photos and videos in front of the stadium to commemorate the occasion.
One woman said it took ‘two seconds” to enter. Another woman said, ’15 seconds.’ Other fans said it took about 5-10 minutes to get past security.
Laura Friedman and João Rosa from Brooklyn had to check in their camera bag before they could enter, but took five minutes to clear the obstacle.
‘We had to adjust our timing to get through security,” Friedman said. ‘But once we figured it out, we were totally fine.”
‘We didn’t even know who was playing. We bought tickets before it was announced, and we just wanted to be part of the festivities,” Rosa added. ‘It’s a big deal. FIFA is coming here, and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I took off from work to be here, and I’m here for fun.”
A little past 1:30 p.m. ET, some roads were closed ahead of Trump’s arrival. In a statement issued Saturday, July 12, FIFA encouraged fans to arrive prior to 1:30, partly to take in the pregame show.
At 2:14 p.m., Marine One, the helicopter carrying President Trump and his traveling party, circled over the stadium, flanked by two other helicopters.
Trump’s entourage included special envoy Steve Witkoff, first son Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend Bettina Anderson, and son-in-laws Jared Kushner, who is married to Ivanka Trump, and Michael Boulos, husband to Tiffany Trump. First lady Melania Trump is also accompanying her husband.
The convoy then traveled a short distance to Teterboro Airport, which is fewer than five miles from MetLife Stadium. Once Marine One landed, Trump departed Marine One and entered the Presidential state car, nicknamed ‘The Beast,” and the motorcade traveled to the stadium.
The motorcade arrived at 2:37 p.m.
According to the White House press pool, Trump did not gaggle with reporters and made his way to the suite where he is watching the match.
‘It’s amazing, whatever your politics are, to have the leader of your country be here, showing that soccer is huge in this country,” Weiss said. ‘It’s really exciting to show that the United States loves soccer — to show the President takes time out of his day to be here. It’s a really big deal.”