President Donald Trump has been pushing international trade and markets into a state of uncertainty with recent customs declarations, but he also believes they will improve the tension 2026 World Cup.
At a press conference on Friday at the Oval Office with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump was asked how current merchant stresses, especially with Canada and Mexico, which are the other host countries with the United States in 2026, can affect the World Cup.
“I think it will make it more exciting,” Trump said. “Excitement is a good thing, it makes it much more exciting.”
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President Donald Trump and FIFA (Fédération International De Football Association) President Gianni Infantino Talk in the Oval Office of the White House after signing a executive order for a task force related to FIFA World Cup, in Washington, DC, March 7, 2025. (Jim Watson/AFP)
This week, the Trump administration imposed 25% duty on goods from Canada and Mexico, but then announced on Thursday a one-month postponement to both countries on goods compatible during a North American trade pact.
The exceptions to the two largest US trading partners expire on April 2nd. Trump has also threatened to introduce a global regime with mutual tariffs for all US trading partners.
When Trump first announced Customs in Mexico and Canada in early February, he ended up delaying them by a month after drawing up agreements with both countries to help secure the northern and southern border.
However, the tension from the incident still wasted in sports under the NHL 4 Nations Face-off exhibition tournament from 12 to 20 February. Fans in Canada booed the US national anthem while fans in the American booed the Canadian national anthem in front of several games.
It started February 13, when Canadian fans in Montreal lived the US national anthem after President Donald Trump’s recent threats of imposing Canada duty rates, while also suggesting the country to become the 51 of America.
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Team United States Forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada Tip Brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-off Ice Hockey Game in the Bell Center. (Eric Bolt-Preferred Pictures)
Booing got a flurry of fights between Canadian and American players at the first meeting of the tournament between the two teams on February 15. US won that game 3-1.
The Canadian national anthem was then booed in TD Garden in Boston before a 4 Nations game between Canada and Finland.
The US and Canada then met in the final on February 20, and US fans in Boston again booed the Canadian national anthem, albeit with a lighter tone. Canada won the game in overtime, 3-2.
Since then, hostile rhetoric between the two countries, including in sports, has only escalated. NHL games involving teams based in Canada and the United States have often shown booing under the leading national hymns in the visiting team.
Fans on WWE Elimination Chamber In the Toronto Booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the event last Saturday night. Star Sports Commenter Pat McAfee paralyzed loudly the Canadian fans for booing and the country as a whole in response to the peacock’s broadcast.
“It sucks that it is in the horrible country of Canada that lived our national anthem to start all this thing,” McAfee cried on the broadcast table.
US President Donald Trump speaks with President of Fédération International De Football Association (FIFA) Gianni Infantino After revealing the 2025 Club World Cup Trophy in the Oval Office in the White House on March 7, 2025, in Washington, DC President Trump signed a executive order that set up a white house – The World Cup. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
McAfee has since said he has received death threats against his infant daughter for the comments.
Canadian men’s football coach Jesse Marsch blasted Trump for his “51st State” remarks and called them “insulting” Wednesday. During the Concacaf Nations League Media Day, Marsch said he was “shame” about how Canada had been offended by the president.
“If I have a message to our president, it is dismissed the ridiculous rhetoric that Canada is the 51st state,” said Marsch. “As an American, I am ashamed of arrogance and ignoring, we have shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies. But one thing is for sure: When I look forward to one month from now, this will burn our team. The mentality we have, we will play for our country.”
NHL Legend Wayne Gretzky has also been criticized by colleagues Canadians for his apparent support from Trump. Trump recently said he had asked Gretzky to become the next “Governor of Canada” after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would resign.
But after Gretzky expressed support to “Canada, who remains a separate country, rather than becoming a loved and beautiful 51st state,” Trump declared Gretzky a “Free Agent.”
