The United States Men’s National Team is set to open up its 2026 World Cup run with a Group D showdown against Paraguay on Friday night. While President Donald Trump won’t be in attendance for the game, he did have a message for the team.
In a phone call with the USMNT this week, Trump offered his support to both the team and head coach Mauricio Pochettino, as he declared that he thinks the team can go “all the way” and win the World Cup.
Trump Not Attending the Game
While Trump made history this week by becoming the first sitting president to attend the NBA Finals, watching the New York Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 3 on Monday night, he will not be in attendance for the USMNT’s World Cup opener on Friday night.
Ben Burrows and Henry Bushnell of The Athletic called this decision “highly unusual” for the leader of the host nation.
“Trump’s decision not to attend the first game is highly unusual for a head of state of a tournament co-host. The Emir of Qatar attended in 2022, President Vladimir Putin of Russia attended in 2018 and President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil attended in 2014,” The Athletic wrote.
‘Going All The Way’
Ahead of Friday night’s match against Paraguay, Trump called the team on Thursday night to offer his support heading into the World Cup.
U.S. Soccer posted a 45-second clip of the call to its social media accounts, showing Pochettino and USMNT captain Tim Ream talking on the phone, but a team spokesperson told The Athletic that all 26 players and staff were present for the call.
In the call, Trump praised Pochettino and said that he thinks the team is capable of winning the entire tournament.
“Well, 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,” Trump said in the clip. “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 expressed his gratitude and told Trump that they were going to work to make him and the country proud.
“Thank you so much for your support, Mr President,” Pochettino said. “We are going to do everything to make you and all the people here in this country proud.”
The USMNT is set to take on Paraguay on Friday night at 9 p.m. to open the World Cup. While this is arguably the USMNT’s most talented World Cup roster yet, plenty of questions remain heading into the tournament.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.