Trump Wishes U.S. Soccer Team Luck Before World Cup Opener
Donald Trump spoke with U.S. national team coach Mauricio Pochettino before the United States opened its 2026 World Cup group stage against Paraguay, scheduled for late Friday night into Saturday at 4:00 a.m. on Sport1 in Los Angeles. The president told Pochettino he wanted to wish the team well ahead of its first match of the tournament.
Trump said, "I know how excellent the players are. I think you have a very good chance of going all the way, so I just want to wish you a lot of success." The conversation was highlighted as the U.S. prepared for a home World Cup with high expectations.
Pochettino's squad has reason for confidence. The United States has advanced out of the group stage in all three of its previous World Cup appearances, and it beat Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly last November. The team now begins its home tournament with hopes of making a deep run.
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