Donald Trump Offers Encouragement to USMNT Ahead of 2026 World Cup Kick-off

The United States Men's National Team received a notable pep talk from former President Donald Trump just hours before their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team's social media channels shared a video on Friday afternoon, capturing head coach Mauricio Pochettino on a phone call with the former president, who expressed his support for the squad.

During the call, Trump conveyed his belief in the team's potential, stating his conviction that they have a strong chance "of going all the way" in the tournament. He also lauded Pochettino as a "fantastic coach." Pochettino, who has been at the helm since 2024, reportedly thanked Trump for his encouragement, assuring him that the team is committed to making the nation proud on soccer's biggest stage.

The Americans, currently ranked 17th by FIFA, are set to kick off their campaign against Paraguay on Friday night in Inglewood, California. As one of the co-hosts for the expanded 48-team tournament, alongside Canada and Mexico, the U.S. squad hopes to leverage home advantage to surpass their previous World Cup performances. While they have consistently reached the knockout stages in four of their last six appearances, advancing beyond the quarterfinals has remained an elusive goal.