President Trump sends well wishes to USMNT prior to World Cup kick-off against Paraguay

Fox & Friends First hosts address a USA Today column by Nancy Armour criticizing the U.S. for "greed and hostility" ahead of the World Cup, claiming this means they've already lost. Former U.S. Soccer Council Member Seth Jahn disputes the columnist's perspective, emphasizing that FIFA sets ticket prices and national pride should be paramount. He further criticizes the conflation of politics and sports.

President Donald Trump called the United States Men’s National team to send "a message of support" on Thursday as the team prepares to play their first World Cup match vs. Paraguay, according to the USMNT X account.

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President Donald Trump draws the United States card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. (Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

The Executive Director of the White House's Task Force for the World Cup, Andrew Giuliani, took the call in front of the team telling the president, "I’m standing in front of 26 champions and a great coach… They’re ready to go and run through a wall."

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After Giuliani handed off the phone to the head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), Mauricio Pochettino, Trump told him, "I just called to say you’re a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach." As Pochettino sat next to USMNT captain Tim Ream, Trump continued, "I think you’ve got a real good chance of going all the way."

Captain Tim Ream leads the United States team onto the field during an open practice ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Irvine Sports Complex in Irvine, California, on June 8, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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