President Trump Delivers Pre-World Cup Pep Talk to USMNT Ahead of Opener
Published June 13, 2026
President Donald Trump reportedly spoke with the United States Men's National Team, including coach Mauricio Pochettino and captain Tim Ream, offering a motivational message before their 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match against Paraguay.
Published — local time around the world
As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States Men's National Team received a high-profile show of support from President Donald Trump just hours before their crucial opening fixture. The President reportedly connected with the squad on Thursday, extending his well wishes and a message of encouragement as the team prepares to kick off their campaign on home soil.
The call, which included head coach Mauricio Pochettino and team captain Tim Ream, saw President Trump convey his confidence in the team's potential for success. The interaction was facilitated by Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, who reportedly introduced the players to the President with an enthusiastic endorsement, stating they were "ready to go and run through a wall."
The USMNT is set to face Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday night, marking their first step in the tournament they are co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico. With the eyes of the nation turning to soccer's biggest stage, the team will be looking to make a strong statement in their Group D opener. The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest ever, featuring 48 teams across 16 venues in the three host nations from June to July 2026.