Trump Predicts Tariff Drama Will Add Excitement to 2026 World Cup

President Donald Trump might be stirring up international trade drama, but he sees a silver lining in all the tension: more excitement for the 2026 World Cup. At a press conference on Friday with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump confidently stated that the ongoing tariff disputes with Canada and Mexico—the other host nations for the tournament—would only heighten the thrill of the event.

"Tension is a good thing," Trump said, flashing his trademark bravado. "It makes it much more exciting." Whether soccer fans worldwide would agree with that sentiment remains to be seen.

The Trump administration recently imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, followed by a temporary one-month reprieve for products compliant with a North American trade pact. The exemptions expire on April 2, leaving the fate of trade relations—and possibly the World Cup—hanging in the balance.

But this isn’t just a debate confined to boardrooms and political corridors—it’s spilled into the realm of sports. The NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February saw fans from both sides of the border booing each other's national anthems. Canadian fans in Montreal kicked things off by booing "The Star-Spangled Banner," apparently fueled by Trump’s comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state. U.S. fans retaliated with their own round of anthem jeers during games in Boston.

The animosity wasn’t limited to the stands. Players engaged in brawls during one match, adding a physical edge to the diplomatic discord. By the final game on Feb. 20, tensions had simmered down slightly, though the booing persisted—Canada ultimately triumphed in overtime, 3-2.

Sports personalities have also weighed in on the escalating rhetoric. Canadian men’s soccer coach Jesse Marsch labeled Trump’s "51st state" remarks as "insulting" and expressed shame over how Canada has been treated. "As an American, I’m ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we’ve shown one of our historically oldest, strongest, and most loyal allies," Marsch said during a media day event.

Even NHL legend Wayne Gretzky found himself in the crossfire after Trump jokingly suggested he should become Canada’s next "governor." Gretzky later clarified his stance, supporting Canada’s independence as a separate country. Trump, in response, declared Gretzky a "free agent," because, well, why not inject hockey metaphors into diplomacy?

While the World Cup is still over a year away, the drama surrounding tariffs, sports, and national anthems has already set the stage for an event that promises to be as politically charged as it is thrilling. Whether all this tension will truly "make it more exciting"—as Trump predicts—or just create more headaches remains up for debate.