In 15 months, the United States, Canada and Mexico will share a World CupThe first to be hosted by an entire continent. For the moment, the three countries mainly share animosity, anxiety and suspicions.
Since taking office two months ago, President Trump promulgated, repealed, then reconstructed a series of punishment Prices on the two American neighbors. The president has also repeatedly called upon the annexation of Canada, by denigrating him the 51st state and addressing his Prime Minister as governor.
On the southern border, Trump has deployed About 9,000 soldiers to strengthen nearly 17,000 border patrol agents already there.
This is unlikely to generate a high level of confidence and cooperation while the countries host the The biggest World Cup in the history of next year. And these tense relationships have colored the advantage this week Final Final Final Final At the Sofi stadium, where Canada will meet Mexico and the United States will face Panama in Thursday's semi-finals.
The winners will meet in the Sunday's final while the losers will play in the third match. The United States, in competition for its first trophy under a new coach Mauricio Pocsettinowon the three previous tournaments, beating Mexico in the final twice and Canada once.
But this time, due to politics, there will be national pride as well as an online trophy with Canadian coach Jesse Marsch, who was born in Wisconsin and played and trained for the American national team, calling the rhetoric of Trump “disturbing and frankly insulting”.
“Canada is a strong and independent nation that is deeply rooted in decency,” he said at a press conference for Hype The Nations League. “It is a place that values an ethics and high respect, unlike the polarized, disrespectful and often hated climate in the United States
“I was dissatisfied with the treatment that Canada received as a nation, a people.”
Politics have already spread in hockey. After Canada beat the United States in the final of Faced with comfort of four nations Last month, Canadian coach Jon Cooper said: “He was different. It was a victory for more than 40 million people.”
Marsch said he expects her team to be motivated in the same way if she was beating Mexico and meeting the United States in the final on Sunday.
“I know that will feed them,” he said.
In addition to booming prices, and the militarization of the border, Trump irritated Mexico by reversing the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
“For me, it's the Gulf of Mexico,” said Mexican coach Javier Aguirre in Spanish.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, right, and his assistant, Rafael Marquez in August 2024. Aguirre says he identifies immigrants in search of a new life in the United States
(Marco Ugarte / Associated Press)
Born in Mexico from parents who fled the repression in the Basque region following the Spanish civil war, Aguirre said he had a sweet heart for immigrants, many of whom have become a Trump target.
“It is not easy to leave your country looking for a better life,” said Aguirre. “I very much identify with these people who came in search of the American dream.”
“In the end, I think we are neighbors, we need each other and coexistence is the best thing that can be,” he added. “I believe that the Mexican, the grandson, the son, the great-grandson of the Mexicans who came here to seek a future have done good to this country.”
As for the prices and trafficking in drugs and human cargoes through the border that Trump has referred, Aguirre recognizes that he has neither “the ability to talk about it, nor the authority”. But he hopes that these problems do not affect football.
“I wouldn't want that because we have to distinguish the spectacle, sport and politics, not mix them,” he said. “For me, this platform is not to talk about politics.”
March does not agree.
“Everything in the United States is so politically busy,” he said on Canadian television. “I think most people agree. Even the Americans agree and understand that Canada has been a very good friend for the United States for a long time.
“There is mutual respect for most citizens, but you just want to see it honored by the government too.”
Even Panama, the only team of the Final Four of the Concacaf from outside North America, attracted the anger of the president, Trump last week ordered the soldiers to write options to increase the American presence of troops in Panama in order to recover the Panama canal.
Panama, the country, will probably not be able to withstand economic and military pressure if Trump follows his threat. But Panama, the football team, could beat the United States, Mexico or Canada could therefore.
And if they do, the results will resonate.
“These international tournaments for Canada mean something different now,” said Marsch.
The staff writer Eduard Cauich contributed to this story.
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