Juventus Players Attend Unexpected White House Meeting Amid Club World Cup

Juventus players Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie participated in an unplanned and awkward meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House ahead of their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match against Al Ain. The 16-minute visit involved Trump discussing contentious topics such as the Israel-Iran conflict, transgender women in sports, and U.S. domestic issues, which surprised and unsettled the players, particularly Weah who expressed a desire to focus solely on football. Neither Juventus, FIFA, nor the White House clarified how the meeting was arranged, and some players and U.S. Soccer officials were unaware of the visit until it occurred. Despite the discomfort, Juventus delivered a convincing 5-0 victory over Al Ain shortly after the Oval Office event. McKennie, who has previously criticized Trump, appeared uneasy during the meeting, while Trump singled out both American players with encouragement for their on-field performance. The meeting also included Juventus executives, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and White House advisors connected to the 2026 World Cup preparations, illustrating the unusual intersection of sports and politics during the tournament.