President Donald Trump (R-FL) called the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team and coach Mauricio Pochettino to wish them luck before their opening match.

The gesture serves as a presidential endorsement of the squad's potential as the host nation begins its campaign in the 2026 [1] FIFA World Cup. Such high-level visibility underscores the national importance of the tournament for the U.S.

Trump spoke with the team on Friday, the day before their first game against Paraguay [2]. During the telephone call, the president expressed confidence in the team's ability to succeed deep into the tournament.

"I think you've got a really good chance of going all the way," Trump said. "And I just want to wish you a lot of luck."

The call was directed to the players and head coach Mauricio Pochettino to provide encouragement before the squad faced Paraguay [2]. The president said that the team has a strong opportunity to achieve ultimate victory in the competition.

This outreach follows a pattern of presidential support for national teams competing on the global stage. The 2026 [1] tournament represents a significant sporting event for the country, with the U.S. serving as a primary host.

“"I think you've got a really good chance of going all the way,"”

The presidential call aligns the executive office with the national team's ambitions, amplifying the pressure and expectation for the U.S. to perform well as a host. By suggesting the team can 'go all the way,' the president is framing the 2026 tournament not just as a participation event, but as a viable opportunity for a historic championship win.