President Donald Trump has pushed international trade relations and markets into a state of uncertainty, but he also believes they will enhance the excitement of the 2026 World Cup.
At a Friday press conference held by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office, Trump was asked about the current trade tensions, especially with Canada and Mexico, the other host countries in the United States in 2026 that could impact the World Cup.
“I think that will make it more exciting,” Trump said. “Nervous is a good thing, it makes it even more exciting.”
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Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino negotiated in the Oval Office at the White House after signing the executive order for the FIFA World Cup on March 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Jim Watson/AFP)
This week, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on goods in Canada and Mexico, but later announced that the two countries would meet the approval of goods for a month under the North American trade agreement.
The exemption to the two of the U.S.’s largest trading partners will expire on April 2. Trump also threatens to impose global reciprocity tariffs on all U.S. trading partners.
When Trump first announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada in early February, he ended up delaying for a month after reaching an agreement with the two countries to help secure the northern and southern borders.
However, tensions in the incident remained influx of sports at the NHL 4 National Confrontation Exhibition from February 12 to 20. Canadian fans booed the US national anthem, while American fans booed the Canadian national anthem before several games.
It began on February 13, when Canadian fans in Montreal came after President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose tariffs on Canada, while also showing that the country should be the 51st state in the United States.
NHL’s NHL star dish in the American pride of American players: “There is no American in general”
US forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Canadian forward Brandon Hagel (38) fought the first phase of the hockey game in four countries at the Bell Center. (Eric Bolte-Imagn image)
The booing prompted a fight between Canadian and American players during the first meeting of the game between the two teams on February 15. The United States won the game 3-1.
The Canadian National Anthem followed by a 4-country match between Canada and Finland at TD Garden in Boston.
The United States and Canada then met in the final on February 20, and American fans in Boston booed the Canadian national anthem again, albeit with a lighter tone. Canada won the game 3-2 in overtime.
Since then, hostile rhetoric between the two countries, including sports, has only escalated. NHL games involving Canadian and American teams often booed in the pre-match national anthem of visiting teams.
Fans are WWE Elimination Room Last Saturday night, the “Stars and Stripes” was booed in Toronto in Toronto. Star sports commentator Pat McAfee slammed Canadian fans for booing and responded to the country throughout the Peacock broadcast.
McCaffe yelled at the radio table: “In the horrible country of Canada, it’s incredible that our national anthem started the whole thing.”
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U.S. President Donald Trump and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Intantino signed a task force for the White House mission for the 2026 World Cup in Washington, D.C. after the 2025 Club World Cup trophy held at the Oval Office on March 7, 2025, with Fruce, the Washington, D.C. royal president signed a task force for the White House mission for the 2026 World Cup White Islands in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
McAfee has since said he has received death threats against his infant daughter.
Canadian men’s football coach Jesse Marsch blew up Trump with his “51st State” remarks, calling them “insults” Wednesday. During CONCACAF National Alliance Media Day, Marsch said he was “shamed” about how Canada was insulted by the president.
“If I had a message to the president, it would have dispelled the ridiculous remarks about Canada being the 51st state,” Mahi said. “As an American, I show us the arrogance and disregard of the oldest, most powerful, most loyal ally in our history. But when I look forward to it for a month, it will push our team. Our mindset, we have to play for our country.”
NHL Legend Wayne Gretzky Canadians also criticized his obvious support for Trump. Trump recently said he had asked Gretzky to become the next “Canadian governor” to Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he would resign.
But after Gretzky expressed support for “Canada remains an independent country, not a precious and beautiful 51st state” Trump declared Gretzky a “free agent.”
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