Donald Trump didn’t mince words when it came to comparing himself to the world’s best soccer players who will compete for international championships on American soil next year.
The US president walked the red carpet with FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the tournament draw, showing the world that he has a lot of confidence in himself and his past play.
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest tournament to date, with 48 countries competing for the right to lift the trophy this summer. Most games will be played in the United States, with some group stage games hosted by Canada and Mexico.
unexpected moment
On the red carpet for the 2026 World Cup draw, US President Donald Trump delivered one of the most unexpected moments of the night. In an interview with Colombia’s Fútbol RCN and Noticias RCN, he revealed that he used to play soccer and even compared his level with some of the sport’s greatest players.
President Trump said, “Believe it or not, I played (soccer) and I loved it. It was okay. I’m not going to say I was Ronaldo or Messi, but I was a little behind them (…) I had a little more speed, but it was okay. I loved playing soccer,” making Infantino laugh.
His comments quickly resonated across social media, adding another surprise twist to an already big-name event where celebrities such as legendary quarterback Tom Brady and iconic basketball player Shaquille O’Neal were enjoying the drawings. President Trump’s playful comparison instantly became one of the standout viral moments of the World Cup festivities.
A tough challenge for the US
The United States announced the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday afternoon, placing them in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay and the winners of UEFA Playoffs C. This is a difficult challenge for a team searching for its identity.
The United States automatically qualified for its 12th World Cup as co-hosts along with Canada and Mexico. They will be led by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was appointed in September 2024 following the departure of Gregg Berhalter three months earlier.
