NATO leaders have reached an informal consensus to avoid discussing the football World Cup in conversations with Donald Trump, as there are concerns that such topics might provoke the U.S. president during a significant period for the military alliance.
Sources indicate that European leaders convened on the sidelines of the summit in Ankara to strategize ways to keep Trump engaged positively, particularly in light of apprehensions that he might further disrupt NATO with his remarks regarding defense expenditures.
In a bid to reassure the U.S. president of their financial commitments, NATO members are collaborating to create “a stronger and more European NATO,” with an aim for each country to allocate 5% of its GDP to defense by the year 2035.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever publicly acknowledged this approach for the first time, stating to reporters in Ankara that he would refrain from mentioning Belgium’s recent 4-1 victory over the U.S. team.
This summit follows a controversy surrounding Trump’s request to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider the red card issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, which would allow him to participate in the match against Belgium.
Before his encounter with Trump at the summit, De Wever humorously noted to reporters that the U.S. president is known to have a tendency to react sensitively to matters he finds disagreeable, suggesting that the defeat might be a sore point for him.
De Wever remarked that Belgium’s football victory had been a prominent topic during his initial discussions in Ankara, saying, “Everyone is focusing on one subject, which is congratulating the Red Devils on their well-deserved win.”
Recognizing that the U.S., as NATO’s largest partner, was also present, he expressed caution about potentially irritating Trump regarding the U.S. team’s exit from the tournament. When questioned by the Flemish broadcaster VRT about the possibility of Trump’s annoyance, he stated, “I won’t bring it up myself, but if he does mention it, I will respond accordingly.”
While Trump has not yet commented on the defeat of the U.S. team, Belgian players humorously imitated his distinctive dance move following their fourth goal during the match.
In a light-hearted exchange ahead of England’s quarter-final match against Norway, Keir Starmer playfully quipped to his Norwegian counterpart that England “only wins the World Cup under Labour governments.” This banter occurred after a meeting in Ankara, where both leaders donned their respective national team jerseys.
