White House adviser backs England to end 60 years of hurt at 2026 World Cup

Andrew Giuliani, Donald Trump’s executive director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, has thrown his support behind England, saying it would be a “beautiful victory” for the Three Lions to lift the trophy — ending a 60-year wait — on home soil in the United States.

With the US knocked out of the tournament, Giuliani was left to find another team to back. He settled firmly on England, citing the narrative appeal of a nation that has not won a major international trophy since 1966 claiming glory on American soil during the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

“If the United States can’t win on our 250th birthday, then a great storyline would be the English coming to America and winning during our anniversary celebrations,” Giuliani told the Daily Mail. “It’s been 60 years of hurt, I gather, for England, so that would be a beautiful victory for them if they won the tournament. I do absolutely think England can go all the way — they are one of the top teams left now.”

Thomas Tuchel’s side must first defeat Argentina in the semi-finals, with France or Spain awaiting in the final. Jude Bellingham’s contribution proved decisive in England’s tense quarter-final victory over Norway, and Giuliani singled out both Bellingham and captain Harry Kane as the driving forces behind England’s push for the title.

“Harry Kane is the number one goal scorer for the England team, and if they are going to win the tournament, he will be the main reason,” Giuliani said. “He and Jude Bellingham are fine athletes. England strike me as being an exceedingly well-balanced team — you have to be confident, and what the coach has to drill into them is that they have the potential to win.”

Kane’s connection to the White House runs deeper than the tournament itself. Trump, who is set to be involved in the trophy presentation at the final, has previously described the Bayern Munich striker as a “great player” and a “great guy.” Kane played golf with Trump in Florida in 2024, an experience the England captain described as “pretty surreal.”

“18 months ago he invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach,” Kane said. “When the president invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him. His golf is pretty good, to be honest with you.”