🎥 USMNT star Weah calls Juventus' audience with Trump 'a bit weird' | OneFootball

As Juventus prepared to kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in Washington, D.C., the Italian club made an unexpected detour — to the White House.

Players and executives from Juventus, including United States Men's internationals Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah, joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for a surreal media appearance. During the 16-minute event, Trump veered from congratulating players to discussing geopolitical tensions with Iran, the Civil War, and U.S. travel bans.

“It was all a surprise to me, honestly,” said Weah after Juventus' 5-0 win later that night. “They told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go. When he started talking about politics with Iran and everything, it’s kind of like, I just want to play football, man. It was a bit weird.”

Trump, who praised Juventus as “a great team,” also quizzed the group on whether a woman could make the squad and greeted McKennie and Weah personally.

“We have two great American players. Where are you, my American players?” Trump said before shaking their hands. “I hope you’re going to be the best two players on the field.”

The moment was striking, given McKennie’s outspoken criticism of Trump in 2020, when he labelled him “ignorant” and “racist.”

Weah, son of former Liberian president George Weah, later reflected: “It’s always wonderful being in the White House… but I’m not one for the politics, so it wasn’t that exciting.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also attended, presenting Trump with a personalised Club World Cup jersey. Trump, in turn, touted sold-out matches despite visibly empty seats in the tournament's opening games.

Juventus had not publicly announced the White House visit beforehand, and several players reportedly were unaware they'd be participating in a press event.

Afterwards, head coach Igor Tudor described the experience as “a pleasure,” though FIFA officials cut off further questions about the visit during his post-match press conference.

As the Club World Cup rolls on, Juventus’ trip to the heart of American politics may remain the most surprising twist of their campaign.

📸 BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI - AFP or licensors