Trump says tariff tension will make 2026 World Cup 'more exciting'

"I think it's going to make it more exciting," Trump said. "Tension is a good thing, it makes it much more exciting."

This week, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico but then announced Thursday a one-month reprieve for both countries on goods compliant under a North American trade pact.

The exemptions for the two largest U.S. trading partners expire on April 2. Trump has also threatened to impose a global regime of reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. trading partners.

When Trump first announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada in early February, he ended up delaying them by a month after working out agreements with both countries to help secure the northern and southern border. 

However, the tension from the incident still spilled into sports during the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off exhibition tournament from Feb. 12 to 20. Fans in Canada booed the U.S. national anthem while fans in the U.S. booed the Canadian national anthem ahead of multiple games. 

It started Feb. 13, when Canadian fans in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem after President Donald Trump's recent threats to impose tariffs on Canada while also suggesting the country should become America's 51st state.

The booing prompted a flurry of brawls between Canadian and U.S. players in the first meeting of the tournament between the two teams on Feb. 15. The U.S. won that game 3-1.

The Canadian national anthem was then booed at TD Garden in Boston before a 4 Nations game between Canada and Finland. 

The U.S. and Canada then met in the final on Feb. 20, and American fans in Boston once again booed the Canadian national anthem, albeit with a lighter tone. Canada won the game in overtime, 3-2. 

"It kind of sucks that it's in the terrible country of Canada that booed our national anthem to start this entire thing," McAfee shouted at the broadcast table. 

"If I have one message to our president, it's lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state," Marsch said. "As an American, I'm ashamed of the arrogance and disregard we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies. But one thing's for sure: When I look forward a month from now, this will fuel our team. The mentality we have, the will we have to play for our country."