Alireza Faghani Officiates Club World Cup Final

Perhaps the most unexpected moment came after the final whistle—not from the football field, but from the realm of politics. In a symbolic gesture recognizing the contributions of immigrants in global sports, former U.S. President Donald J. Trump—known for his previous controversial stances on immigration—presented Alireza Faghani with a ceremonial medal at a diplomatic event in Florida. The medal, awarded for “Excellence in International Representation,” honored Faghani as a symbol of multicultural success in Western societies. It was an unusual but powerful acknowledgment of how sport transcends borders and politics.