Pope Leo XIV on US vs. Peru World Cup Match: ‘Probably Peru’
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV has revealed which team he will be cheering for when the United States faces Peru in the 2026 World Cup, declaring that his sympathies lie “probably” with the South American nation.
The comment, made during a lighthearted exchange with reporters aboard the papal plane, is being interpreted by analysts as a signal of the pontiff’s affection for the Latin American church.
“Probably Peru.”
— Pope Leo XIV
⚽ The ‘Loyalty’ of the Bishop of Rome
The Pope’s preference is notable because he is the first Latin American pontiff in history. Pope Leo XIV — born Claudio Hummes in São Paulo, Brazil — is the first pope from the Global South . Peru is not Brazil, but as a South American country, sharing the same continent, language, and cultural heritage, a desire to see a nation from his home region succeed is natural.
The Pope’s statement is also a subtle rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration has implemented policies that the Vatican considers hostile to immigrants, including mass deportations and a travel ban affecting several Latin American countries . The Pope has not hidden his disdain for Trump’s policies, previously stating that “building walls, not bridges, is not Christian” .
If the Pope had said “I’m cheering for the U.S.,” it would have made headlines for the opposite reason. The Vatican has long urged the United States to adopt more humane migration policies, and the Pope’s comment reflects his view that the U.S. has, in recent years, underperformed on the global stage in terms of human rights and multilateral cooperation.
While the comment is lighthearted, its geopolitical backdrop is not.
🌍 Latin American Solidarity
Peru, like much of Latin America, is majority Catholic. The Peruvian bishops’ conference has been loyal to the Vatican’s teachings and has not broken with Rome over issues like blessing same-sex unions, as the German church has . The Pope is returning that loyalty with a very human gesture—cheering for them.
🏆 Game Details
The U.S. and Peru are grouped together in Group G of the 2026 World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The match is scheduled for June 21, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles .
The U.S. team features stars like Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) and Folarin Balogun (Monaco), while Peru’s squad is led by Gianluca Lapadula of Cagliari .
The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, attempted to soften the Pope’s remarks, stating: “The Holy Father has great affection for the United States, a country that has a large and vibrant Catholic community.” But the papal plane comment stands.
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