Overview
- Trump diverted a White House press event with Juventus Turin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss transgender athletes and asked if a woman could play on the men’s team under his planned ban on trans women in women’s sports.
- Juventus players including Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah froze at the question while manager Damien Comolli diplomatically noted the club’s strong women’s side.
- The president publicly challenged Infantino on US travel bans, prompting the FIFA chief to reassure that security measures for the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup are under control.
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection have patrolled Club World Cup venues, warning international fans to prove their legal status and drawing criticism from rights advocates.
- Critics including Amnesty International and the Florida Immigrant Coalition say the political use of sporting events and border patrol presence may undermine fan participation and cast doubt on the US’s readiness to host World Cup 2026.