USMNT World Cup Star Was Forced Into ‘Weird’ Donald Trump Meeting

Having also produced news content for HITC Sport and Read Liverpool, he has created a wide range of content for GMS, including news, opinion, features, lists and viral sport content.

His passion for sports extends further than football, as he has covered several sports for GMS, including Boxing, Tennis, and Wrestling. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account World Cup fever has officially hit the United States of America, Canada and Mexico this week as all three host nations got off to a good start in the 48-team tournament.

Mexico recorded a 2-0 win over South Africa, while Canada battled to a 1-1 draw after falling behind against Bosnia. But the biggest winners of the host nations were the USA. Mauricio Pochettino's side caught everyone off-guard with a stunning performance and 41- victory against Paraguay.

The players finally took centre stage after months of talk about President Donald Trump. The 80-year-old has been heavily involved, and criticised, in the build-up to the biggest competition in world football. Even a current member of the USMNT was left unimpressed by the American leader.

One man who played a part in that dominant World Cup win against Paraguay wasn't too impressed when he met the President in 2025. Timothy Weah, who came on in the 72nd minute, was part of a Juventus visit to the White House in June last year.

The Italian giants were preparing to take part in the newly formatted Club World Cup, which was hosted in his Weah's home country. Juventus' players made a rather awkward-looking visit to the Oval Office before their first game.

Folarin Balogun netted twice on his World Cup debut after picking the United States of America over England.

With the players standing behind Trump's desk, Weston McKennie, also of the USMNT, looked baffled when the President asked: "Could a woman make your team, fellas?"

Weah later revealed he was given no choice but to attend the meeting. The wing-back said (per the Metro): "It was all a surprise to me, honestly, they told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go so I showed up."

The 26-year-old, son of Ballon d'Or winner George, explained he felt uncomfortable as Trump started speaking about Iran and other political issues while he and his teammates stood in the background. Detailing the 'weird' experience, he added:

"I was caught by surprise, honestly. It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it’s kind of like, I just want to play football man."

McKennie, who was also present alongside his Juventus teammates, was highly critical of President Trump during his first term. More specifically, during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

"I don’t think that Trump is the right one for the job as the president," the USMNT midfielder said after protests. Trump controversially labelled the movement 'toxic propaganda'.

Trump will now have a big role to play on World Cup final day this July.

McKennie even stated that he could see why some call the American leader 'racist'. He continued: "I stand by these words. I believe he doesn’t understand the responsibility he has for the entire country. I think he’s ignorant. I don’t support him a bit. I don’t think he’s a man to stand by his word. In my eyes, you can call him racist."

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