Trump calls USMNT ahead of World Cup opener: 'You've got a really good chance of going all the way'
President Donald Trump phoned the U.S. men's national team on Thursday night to offer his support ahead of their 2026 World Cup debut against Paraguay, telling coach Mauricio Pochettino and the squad they have 'a really good chance of going all the way.'
The call
On the eve of the Group D opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, Trump phoned head coach Mauricio Pochettino, with captain Tim Ream and all 26 players and staff listening. The conversation lasted around two minutes, according to a team spokesman, and was organized by Andrew Giuliani, CEO of the White House World Cup Task Force.
I just got to say you're a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach, and you're all about your record and your success, and I know how great the players are. I think you've got a really good chance of going all the way. I just want to wish you a lot of luck.
Pochettino replied, "Thank you so much for your support, Mr President. We are going to do everything to make you and all the people here in this country proud." U.S. Soccer posted a 45-second clip of the exchange on social media.
Trump to skip opener
Trump will not attend the match against Paraguay on Friday night. Instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be at SoFi Stadium, joined by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. The decision breaks with a pattern of host-nation heads of state attending their team's opening game in recent tournaments.
A growing trend of host absentees
Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum also missed her country's opener, a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday. She gave her ticket away and watched from a fan-zone alongside Mexico City mayor Clara Brugada. The last three World Cups saw the host leader present: the Emir of Qatar in 2022, Russia's Vladimir Putin in 2018 and Brazil's Dilma Rousseff in 2014.
- Brazil president Dilma Rousseff attends opener
- Russia president Vladimir Putin attends opener
- Qatar emir attends opener
- Mexico president Sheinbaum skips opener, watches at fan-zone
- US president Trump skips opener, sends cabinet secretaries
Biden set a precedent
Trump's call echoes a tradition started by former President Joe Biden, who phoned then-coach Gregg Berhalter and the squad from the Oval Office before the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Trump has also engaged with U.S. athletes in other sports, calling the men's hockey team ahead of the 4 Nations final in February 2025 and congratulating them via video after their Winter Olympic gold.
The USMNT's opening game begins at 03:00 Central European Time on June 13. Paraguay will attempt to spoil the co-hosts' campaign right from the start, but Trump has already set high expectations for the team.
