An unexpected and notably awkward encounter unfolded at the White House on June 19, 2025, when players and officials from Italian football giants Juventus visited President Donald Trump. The meeting took place just hours before Juventus was set to play their opening match in the FIFA Club World Cup being held in the United States.
Instead of focusing solely on football, the 16-minute meeting in the Oval Office quickly veered into a mix of sports and unrelated political discussions, leaving some attendees reportedly surprised and describing the experience as “weird.”
Key Exchange: The Question of Women in the Team
One of the most striking moments occurred when President Trump directly addressed the Juventus squad, including American players Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, who were standing behind him. He posed a pointed question: “Could a woman make your team, fellas?”
The question was met with silence and awkward smiles from the players. When prompted again, General Manager Damien Comolli responded by highlighting that Juventus operates a successful women’s team which recently won the Italian league championship. Trump’s reply, while acknowledging Comolli’s diplomacy, was firm: “But they should be playing with women,” an apparent reference to his administration’s stance opposing transgender women in women’s sports, underscored by a February executive order.
Beyond Football: Politics Takes Center Stage
The conversation didn’t stay on sports for long. President Trump also used the opportunity to address other political topics, including the potential for conflict with Iran, his views on whether the U.S. Civil War could have been avoided, and past travel bans enacted during his previous term. Journalists present largely focused their questions on these political issues rather than the visiting football team.
The juxtaposition of the world-class football squad standing in the background while the President discussed geopolitics and domestic policy contributed to the unusual atmosphere. Juventus winger Timothy Weah later commented on feeling caught off guard, stating he preferred focusing on playing football and found the political turn of the meeting “a bit weird.” US midfielder Weston McKennie, who has previously been critical of Trump, was also present and shook hands with the President during the visit.
Behind the Scenes: Who Was There and Why?
The visiting delegation was substantial, including Juventus owner John Elkann, CEO Maurizio Scanavino, General Manager Damien Comolli, Director Giorgio Chiellini, players like McKennie, Weah, Dusan Vlahovic, Manuel Locatelli, Teun Koopmeiners, and Federico Gatti, alongside head coach Igor Tudor. Notably, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro (also an advisor to Infantino and the 2026 World Cup task force) were also in attendance.
There was no official explanation provided by Juventus, FIFA, or the White House for the visit. However, sources suggested the invitation came from the White House, possibly linked to recent meetings between Juventus owner John Elkann, head of Exor (which controls companies like Stellantis and Ferrari), and President Trump. While business interests, such as potential car tariffs, were speculated as a potential backdrop, Trump publicly praised Elkann’s success. Some attendees, including players, were reportedly not fully briefed that the visit would involve a media briefing.
Despite the political focus, Trump did make some football remarks, introducing the team and specifically mentioning McKennie and Weah. He also made a false claim that the upcoming Juventus match was “totally sold out,” contradicting later official attendance figures which showed the game was below capacity – a theme of low attendance seen in other tournament matches.
The visit adds another chapter to the tradition of sports teams visiting the White House, though Trump has previously deviated from this by withdrawing invitations. The presence of FIFA President Infantino, who has reportedly developed a bond with Trump during the 2026 World Cup bid process and frequently visits the Oval Office, also highlights the intersection of global sports governance and U.S. politics.
Ultimately, the White House encounter proved to be a strange blend of international football fanfare and unexpected political discussion, leaving the visiting players as witnesses to a conversation that went far beyond the sport they came to play.
