Trump asks African nations to support 2026 World Cup bid

President Donald Trump asked leaders of various African nations Monday to support the United States' joint-bid to host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, remarking that he would "appreciate" their help.

"I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world - that we also will be supporting you - and that they will likewise support us in our bid, along with Canada and Mexico, for the 2026 World Cup," Trump told reporters after meeting with Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, via TicToc.

"We will be watching very closely and any help that they can give us with that bid, we would appreciate."

Trump's latest comment on his country's World Cup bid comes despite FIFA issuing a warning that political interference in the bidding process is not allowed, as outlined in the Bid Rules of Conduct.

Specifically, it warns against activities by bidding nations' governments which "may adversely affect the integrity of the Bidding Process and create an undue influence on the Bidding Process."

Trump recently expressed his desire for other nations to support the U.S.-led World Cup bid on social media, tweeting: "The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don't support us (including at the United Nations)?"

The president's call for support doesn't jibe with his comments made in January, when he reportedly remarked: "Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?" in a discussion with lawmakers about protecting immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa.