Trump calls USMNT ahead of World Cup opener, says team can go ‘all the way’
United States President Donald Trump spoke via phone with the U.S. men’s national team on Thursday night to offer his support ahead of the team’s opening game at the 2026 World Cup.
Trump will not be in attendance for the team’s opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Friday night.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will instead attend the game, along with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin.
The call lasted around two minutes, a team spokesman told The Athletic.
U.S. Soccer posted a 45-second clip of the call to its social media accounts. In the clip, only the White House’s World Cup Task Force CEO Andrew Giuliani, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and captain Tim Ream are shown, but all 26 players and staff were present, the team spokesman added.
“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.”
“Thank you so much for your support, Mr President,” Pochettino said in reply, alongside Ream.
“We are going to do everything to make you and all the people here in this country proud.”
Last night, we received a message of support from POTUS ahead of our World Cup journey. pic.twitter.com/MVPITGldtS
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 12, 2026
Trump’s message follows President Joe Biden’s own call to the U.S. team ahead of the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Biden addressed then-coach Gregg Berhalter and the squad in a phone call from the Oval Office.
Trump called the U.S. men’s hockey team ahead of the 4 Nations final in February 2025, before congratulating the team via video call following their Winter Olympic gold medal win in February.
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.
Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum, however, did not attend her country’s opening game of the tournament, Thursday’s 2-0 win over South Africa. She instead chose to give away her ticket and watched the game at a fan-zone alongside Mexico City mayor Clara Brugada.
Trump has attended a number of sporting events during his presidency, including the Super Bowl in New Orleans; the Daytona 500; the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia; the FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium; the U.S. Open men’s tennis final and the recent NBA Finals Game 3 between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden.
He will also be in attendance for Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 event on the White House lawn.