Story perspectives

Trump Calls US Team Before World Cup Opener.

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump called the U.S. men’s national soccer team before their World Cup opener, offering encouragement.
The team opened its 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino started Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
Analysts said the United States aims for at least the round of 16, viewing a quarter-final run as a breakthrough beyond 2002.

History

Historical Context

FIFA awarded the 1994 World Cup to the United States on July 4 1988, and the tournament’s 3.6 million spectators sparked a surge in American soccer that led to MLS’s 1993 founding. Decades later, President Donald Trump called the U.S. men’s team before their 2026 opener at SoFi Stadium, echoing the political enthusiasm that helped launch the sport’s growth.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump called the U.S. men’s national soccer team before their World Cup opener, offering encouragement.
The team opened its 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino started Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
Analysts said the United States aims for at least the round of 16, viewing a quarter-final run as a breakthrough beyond 2002.

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