Pope Leo XIV backs USA team ahead of FIFA World Cup

Coverage Comparison

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 prepares to kick off on June 11, Pope Leo XIV has added his voice to the chorus of supporters for one of the host nations. The pontiff, who became the first American-born leader of the Catholic Church, has said he will be cheering for the United States national team during the competition, according to a report from The Hindu, which cited Reuters.

While France 24's coverage of the week focused on a collection of striking images, including the Pope's visit to Barcelona and the tournament's opening match in Mexico City, The Hindu's report delved deeper into the Pope's football loyalties, offering direct quotes from the pontiff and context about his personal ties to the United States and Peru.

The Hindu's report, published on June 7, 2026, was the primary source for the Pope's comments, which were made during a flight from Rome to Madrid on Saturday, June 6. The report also highlighted the Pope's role as the first American leader of the Catholic Church and his connections to both the US and Peru.

Key Claims

Pope Leo XIV supports the US national team: According to The Hindu, citing Reuters, Pope Leo XIV 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.” This statement, made aboard a flight from Rome to Madrid, is the central claim of the report and is attributed to the Pope directly.

The US is co-hosting the tournament: The Hindu reported that the United States will host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. This fact is also corroborated by France 24, which noted that the World Cup kicks off in Mexico City with a match between Mexico and South Africa. The US team is placed in Group D, facing Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye.

Pope Leo XIV's ties to the US and Peru: The Hindu reported that Pope Leo XIV, born as Robert Prevost in the Chicago suburbs, also holds Peruvian citizenship after spending decades as a missionary and bishop in Peru before his election. His dual nationality has made his football loyalties a point of interest, and last year he indicated he would support Peru over the US if the two met. However, Peru failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Tournament start and Pope's visit: France 24 reported that the World Cup kicked off in Mexico City on June 11, and also noted that Pope Leo XIV visited Barcelona, Spain, around the same time as part of his broader visit to Spain and the Canary Islands, as mentioned by The Hindu.

Perspectives

The Pope's football preferences: Beyond the World Cup, the Pope was also asked about his preference between Real Madrid and Barcelona, two Spanish football giants. The Hindu reported that while maintaining papal neutrality he said, “The Pope is for all teams,” but with a smile added, “Prevost is for Real Madrid,” referring to his pre-papal identity.

The broader context: France 24's photo essay placed the Pope's visit and the World Cup opening within a wider news week, including other events such as repatriations in Nigeria, protests in Northern Ireland, and preparations for an MMA event at the White House. This frames the Pope's support as one of many news items, without further analysis of his statement.

Political and cultural significance: The Pope's support for the US team, while notable given his American roots, also reflects his past leaning toward Peru, a country he has deep ties to. The fact that Peru did not qualify eliminates any potential conflict of loyalties, allowing the Pope to wholeheartedly back the US. This aspect, highlighted by The Hindu, adds a personal dimension to the story, emphasizing the Pope's human side.