Donald Trump has the World Cup on display and it could mean big changes for football fans

Donald Trump suddenly has a replica of the World Cup on display in the Oval Office – and it could mean major changes to next year’s tournament, which the US is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada

Donald Trump suddenly has a replica of the World Cup on display, and it could mean a major change for football fans.

The US President has an occasionally rotating set of keepsakes and memorabilia placed behind him in the Oval Office – just behind the resolute desk.

But suddenly – and very prominently – a new addition has arrived, which will mean little to most Americans, but will be immediately recognised by football fans.

He now has a replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy – the FIFA World Cup – behind him. And nobody’s quite sure why.

It’s actually not the first time he’s done it.

For a while in 2018, he had a teeny miniature World Cup in almost exactly the same place.

Many at the time suggested it was a coded message to Vladimir Putin, as Russia were hosting the World Cup that year.

And it seems likely this is a message to another country – in fact, two other countries: Mexico and Canada.

Donald Trump has been ramping up a trade war with America’s two nearest neighbours – slapping both countries with a 25% tariff on imports, only to walk the threat trade taxes back after getting relatively minor concessions from both countries.

But the threat of tariffs still looms – it’s just been been paused for 30 days.

And the World Cup being on display might suggest that behind the scenes there’s a bit more of a shakedown going on than has been admitted.

The US will co-host the World Cup next year, along with – you guessed it – Mexico and Canada.

Some 78 of the 104 matches are being held in the US – including the entire knockout stage.

And the US clearly wouldn’t have trouble hosting the whole tournament on its own – big sporting events are kind of their thing.

Meanwhile, Trump has been getting pretty cosy with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who attended the Inauguration a couple of weeks back.

So it’s not insane to think Trump might pressure FIFA to let the US go it alone and host the whole tournament – which would be a major financial blow to both Canada and Mexico.

Perhaps displaying the World Cup was a note to America’s neighbours, that meant: “Nice football tournament you have there. Be a shame if something were to happen to it.”