US President Donald Trump injected a dose of humor into the 2026 World Cup celebrations on Friday, comparing his former soccer prowess to that of global superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during a red carpet appearance.
Walking alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino before the draw for the tournament, Trump spoke to Colombian broadcasters RCN Football and Noticias RCN and revealed he once played the sport, before jokingly placing himself just one rung below the game’s biggest names.
“Believe it or not, I did (play soccer) and I loved it, I was OK, I wouldn’t say I was Ronaldo or Messi, I lacked a little bit (…) I had a little bit more speed, but I was fine. I loved playing soccer,” Trump said, drawing laughter from Infantino.
He was awarded FIFA’s first peace prize, a surprising turnaround for a president who spent the year openly chasing a Nobel nod while setting himself up as a negotiator in some of the world’s most volatile regions.
The former reality TV host dominated the stage at Washington’s Kennedy Center on Friday, placing himself at the center of one of the biggest events in the sports world in a glitzy, celebrity-studded affair bearing the president’s unmistakable stamp.
The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will host the soccer tournament next year. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were also there.
His playful comments quickly sparked a backlash on social media, becoming one of the standout viral moments from an already star-studded event. Legendary quarterback Tom Brady and NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal were among the big names in attendance as the football world turned its attention to the draw for the expanded tournament.
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest tournament in history, with 48 nations competing for the trophy. Most of the matches will be held in the United States, with some group matches hosted by co-hosts Canada and Mexico.
The United States learned their group fate on Friday, landing in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay and the winner of Uefa Playoff C, a challenging assignment for a team still searching for a clear identity.
As co-hosts, the USA qualified automatically for what will be their 12th World Cup, joining Canada and Mexico in the finals. The team is led by coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was appointed in September 2024 after Gregg Berhalter left three months earlier.
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