From Pitch Prep to Oval Office: Juventus’ Unexpected White House Audience
In an extraordinary turn of events, Italian football giants Juventus, including prominent US Men’s National Team players Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, found themselves in the Oval Office on a recent Wednesday afternoon. The delegation, originally scheduled to prepare for a FIFA Club World Cup match against Al-Ain FC in Washington D.C., instead attended a media briefing with President Donald Trump.
The appearance saw club executives, players, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino standing behind President Trump for approximately 16 minutes. During this time, the focus of the briefing shifted from football to global politics, including discussions on potential actions against Iran, the U.S. Civil War, and the administration’s travel bans.
Player Reactions: “A Bit Weird”
For some players, the experience was unexpected and surreal. Timothy Weah described the visit as a surprise, stating, “Honestly, they told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go… It was a bit weird. When he started talking about the politics with Iran and everything, it’s kind of like, I just want to play football man.”
Weah reiterated post-game that while being at the White House for the first time was “cool,” the political focus meant it “wasn’t that exciting” for him.
The visit also put a spotlight on Weston McKennie, who has previously been critical of Donald Trump. In 2020, McKennie called Trump “ignorant” and “racist,” stating he didn’t believe Trump was the right person for the presidency.
Adding another layer of political complexity, Timothy Weah’s father, former Liberian President George Weah, had publicly supported Trump’s return to power. This contrasts with recent reports suggesting the Trump administration is considering expanding travel bans to include up to 36 additional countries, potentially impacting nations like Liberia.
Interactions and Unexpected Questions
During the briefing, President Trump singled out McKennie and Weah, saying, “We have two great American players. Where are you, my American players?” He shook their hands, wishing them luck and expressing hope they would be the “best two players on the field.”
Trump also made incorrect claims about the upcoming Club World Cup match being “totally sold out,” a point later countered by actual attendance figures and ticket availability.
A notable exchange occurred when Trump asked the male Juventus players, “Could a woman make your team, fellas?” When no player responded, he turned to General Manager Damien Comolli. Upon learning Juventus has a successful women’s team (the reigning Italian champions), Trump asserted, “But they should be playing with women.” This comment resonated in the context of a recent executive order signed by Trump opposing transgender women’s participation in women’s sports.
The Business and Ownership Angle
The Juventus delegation included owner John Elkann, CEO of Exor, the holding company controlled by the Agnelli family. Elkann, a New York-born businessman, oversees significant stakes not only in Juventus but also in Ferrari (including its F1 team), Stellantis (a major auto conglomerate including Fiat, Jeep, Chrysler, etc.), and media outlets like The Economist.
The Agnelli family has deep historical ties to the United States. Elkann himself has recently voiced concerns about potential U.S. tariffs on the car industry. During the briefing, Trump praised Elkann as a “fantastic business person, a man who has done a fantastic job in the automobile industry, who comes from a lineage of winners,” suggesting potential business or political motivations behind the White House invitation, which sources indicated came from the White House itself.
FIFA’s Presence and Political Questions
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present, having developed a relationship with Trump during the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup. Infantino presented Trump with a Club World Cup jersey emblazoned with his name and the number 47.
When asked about potential travel bans affecting spectators for the 2026 World Cup, Trump deferred to Infantino. Infantino stated it was not a concern, citing “excellent collaboration” with the president and the task force. Trump then playfully cast doubt on Infantino’s awareness of the travel ban while reiterating his (incorrect) claims about ticket sales.
Despite the presence of the football figures, the briefing was dominated by political journalists asking about sensitive global issues. Following the game, when journalists attempted to ask Juventus coach Igor Tudor about the White House experience, a FIFA moderator intervened, insisting questions remain focused solely on the match. This highlighted the unusual blend of sports and high-stakes politics that characterized the visit.
Some members of the Juventus entourage, including players, were reportedly unaware they would be appearing at a press conference. Even U.S. Soccer officials were apparently not informed that the USMNT players would be attending the White House event on a game day.
While sports teams visiting the White House has a long tradition, this specific instance, substituting game preparation for a political briefing and featuring prominent USMNT players alongside club ownership with potential business interests, marked a departure from typical protocol, leaving some participants feeling it was, indeed, “a bit weird.”
