I will give Trump 2026 World Cup trophy to lift - Pochettino eyes historic title

U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he would gladly let President Donald Trump lift the World Cup trophy if the U.S. achieves the historic feat of winning the tournament on home soil.

Should Pochettino and his squad triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. would become the first non-European or South American team to lift the trophy.

The tournament will take place partly on American soil, with the final scheduled at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the same venue where Chelsea celebrated their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup victory.

Trump’s previous appearance at the Club World Cup final drew attention when he remained on the stage during celebrations, frustrating players like Cole Palmer.

Speaking to the New York Post, Pochettino laughed off the hypothetical ceremony, calling it “typically American.”

“If we win, I will give him the trophy, and he can lift it for sure, no problem for me,” Pochettino said.

He added, “Maybe he’s not a soccer person, and he was a little bit in a situation where he didn’t know what to do [in the celebrations], but it was funny. That is America.”

President Trump has actively involved himself in preparations for the 2026 tournament, leading the White House World Cup Task Force and advocating for the draw to be hosted at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, D.C.

Leaders from Mexico and Canada, including Claudia Sheinbaum and Mark Carney, are also expected to make appearances, reflecting the North American hosting partnership of the World Cup.