Pope Leo declared his support for the U.S. men's soccer team competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup during his flight from Rome to Madrid on June 6, 2026 [1, 2]. Born in a Chicago suburb, the pope said, "I would certainly support the U.S. I don't know how many games I'll be able to see but I wish them all the best," reflecting his hometown ties and enthusiasm for the tournament [1].
The 2026 World Cup, which starts on June 10, will be the largest ever with 48 participating teams. The United States is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico [1, 2]. The U.S. team was drawn into Group D, where they will face Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey [1, 2].
Pope Leo previously served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for many years before becoming pope. In a 2025 interview, he said he would root for Peru over the U.S. at the World Cup. However, Peru did not qualify for this year's tournament [1, 2].
At present, the pope is on a week-long tour of Spain and the Canary Islands, traveling through Spain as of June 6, 2026 [1, 2]. When asked which Spanish club team he supports, he said, "The pope is for all teams. Prevost is for Real Madrid," playfully differentiating his role from his birth name's allegiance [1].
The World Cup kicks off on June 10, with games staged across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, beginning the month-long tournament that will draw global attention to North America [1, 2].