Pope Leo XIV arrives within the popemobile at Plaza de Lima in Madrid on June 6, 2026.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Pope Leo XIV has thrown his assist behind the US forward of the FIFA World Cup 2026, providing a lift to the cohost nation because the match prepares to get underway on June 11.
The pontiff, who grew to become the primary American chief of the Catholic Church, stated he can be cheering for the U.S. nationwide workforce throughout the competitors, regardless of his busy schedule.
Talking to a journalist aboard a flight from Rome to Madrid on Saturday (June 6, 2026), Pope Leo stated, “I will surely assist the U.S. I don’t know what number of video games I’ll have the ability to see, however I want all of them the perfect,” reported Reuters.
The USA will host the match alongside Canada and Mexico and start their marketing campaign in Group D, the place they’re set to face Paraguay, Australia and Turkiye. Born within the Chicago suburbs as Robert Prevost, Pope Leo XIV additionally holds Peruvian citizenship after spending many years serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru earlier than his election because the Pope.
His ties to each nations have beforehand made his soccer loyalties a topic of curiosity. Final yr, Pope Leo indicated that he would assist Peru over the US if the 2 international locations met on the soccer pitch. Nevertheless, Peru did not qualify for this yr’s World Cup, leaving the U.S. because the beneficiary of the Pope’s backing.
Through the flight, the Pope was additionally requested about his choice between Spanish soccer giants Actual Madrid and Barcelona. Sustaining neutrality in his present function, he initially replied, “The Pope is for all groups.” Nevertheless, when referring to his pre-papal id, he added with a smile, “Prevost is for Actual Madrid.”
Pope Leo is presently on a week-long go to to Spain and the Canary Islands as preparations proceed for the beginning of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.
Revealed – June 07, 2026 09:43 am IST