Lula Jokes With Trump About World Cup Visas
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva brought a lighter tone to his press conference in Washington on Thursday, after meeting US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Speaking to reporters, Lula said Trump talked about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada – and asked whether Brazil’s national team was ready for it.
The Brazilian leader said he turned the question into a joke about US immigration policy, warning Trump not to block the five-time champions before they even reached the pitch.
“I even joked with President Trump,” Lula said. “He asked me about the World Cup, whether the Brazilian team was doing well. And I told him: I hope you won’t cancel the visas of the Brazilian national team players. Please don’t do that – because we are coming here to win the World Cup.”
Trump Laughs as Lula Continues Playful Remarks
Lula said the line landed well with Trump, and then slipped in another jab of his own.
“He found it funny,” Lula said. “Because now he will always laugh. He has learned to laugh very well.”
Press Conference Filled With Light-Hearted Moments
The Brazilian president sparked more laughter later during the Q&A, when his interpreter, Sergio Xavier, tested his audio before translating a question from The Washington Post reporter Cleve Wootson.
As Xavier’s voice came through strongly, Lula joked that the sound did not quite match the journalist standing in the room.
“Your voice is much bigger than you are,” Lula said with a smile, as his comment drew more laughter from attendees, including Wootson himself.
The press conference followed Lula’s meeting with Trump, which focused on bilateral trade, critical minerals and economic cooperation.
