European leaders deliberately avoided discussions about the US team’s exit from the FIFA World Cup, fearing a potential sharp reaction from President Donald Trump during the summit, according to The Guardian.
The two-day summit in Ankara, Turkey, which brought together leaders of NATO and key partners, began on Tuesday, July 7. This followed Belgium‘s victory over the US with a score of 4:1 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, resulting in the American team’s elimination from the tournament.
Strategy of European leaders
The Guardian, citing unnamed officials, reported that European leaders discussed strategies to ensure constructive cooperation from Trump during the summit. They reached an informal agreement not to mention the World Cup in conversations with Trump.
Comments from the Belgian Prime Minister
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever told journalists before meeting with Trump that he planned to avoid discussing his country’s victory this week. Addressing the press, De Wever stated that Trump “has a reputation as someone who sometimes reacts irritably to things he doesn’t like, and I think this loss will hit him hard,” according to The Guardian.
De Wever also noted that Belgium’s victory was a major topic of discussion among other leaders at the summit. “Everyone is talking about one thing, and that is congratulating the ‘Red Devils’ on their deserved victory,” he said, referring to the national team. “Of course, the losing side is also present. And that is also the biggest partner in NATO,” the prime minister added. De Wever also told broadcaster VRT that he would not initiate a conversation about Belgium’s victory with Trump, but “if [Trump] himself brings up the topic, then I will decide how to react to it.”
Source: People
