Inter Miami visits White House: Will Messi attend? Here's what we know

MLS Cup champion Inter Miami will visit PresidentDonald Trumpat the White House on Thursday, March 5 to commemorate their 2025 title.

Lionel Messi – the two-time MLS MVP, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and Argentine World Cup champion – could attend the ceremony. Inter Miami's entire team is expected to attend, according to a team spokesman. It's unclear whether co-owner and former soccer star David Beckham will also attend.

Inter Miami is taking part in what has become a customary event for professional and college sports champions in the United States to be congratulated by the president.

The ceremony is expected to begin around 4 p.m. ET in the East Room of the White House.

Inter Miami traveled to Washington D.C. on Thursday morning – two days before a match against D.C. United in Baltimore on Saturday, March 7 ahead of the visit.

"We are going because we are champions from last season," Inter Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia said earlier this week. "I don't get involved with politics, but I know it's an important occasion."

See Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's jubilant MLS title celebrations

How to watch Inter Miami's White House visit?

The visit can be live streamed from theWhite House's YouTube channel.

Messi makes the trip with Inter Miami

Messi is included in a pre-flight video before Inter Miami's trip to D.C. on Thursday morning.

Inter Miami takes off for White House trip

Inter Miami departed from South Florida early Thursday, sharing social media posts – which did not include Messi in the photos.

Has Messi visited the White House before?

Not yet – this would be Messi's first visit to the White House.

Messi wasawarded the Presidential Medal of FreedomfromPresident Joe Bidenin January 2025, but he did not attend the ceremony due to a scheduling issue during Inter Miami's offseason.

What does Messi's visit mean for World Cup?

If Messi visits the White House, Trump will have met two of soccer's greatest players in the past five months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Advertisement

Soccer's all-time leading goal scorerCristiano Ronaldo attended a black-tie dinnerat the White House when Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman last November.

Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have become good friends in the past few years, highlighted by several White House visits. Infantino also awarded Trump with FIFA's Peace Prize during the World Cup draw in December.

Messi, who plays for reigning World Cup champion Argentina, has yet to declare he will play in the tournament. But it's a safe bet he will.

Why is the visit to the White House controversial?

The United States and Israel beganstrikes on Iran early on Saturday, Feb. 28, in a campaign thatkilled the nation's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneiand several top officials, among others. Iran is a participating nation in the World Cup, though Trump recently said"I really don't care"if the country takes part in the tournament.

Also in late February, Trump invited the U.S. men's and women's hockey teams after both winning gold medals at theMilan Cortina Olympics. However, Trump made what was seen as a sexist remark on a phone call with the men's team after their win, joking that he would also have toinvite the women's team to the White House. Whilethe men's team visited, the women's team declined their invitation.

Trump's widespread immigration crackdown with U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) is also an ongoing controversy.ICE officials could be present at World Cup games this summer, acting director Todd Lyons said last month.

Have MLS Cup-winning teams visited the White House before?

Inter Miami will be the first MLS Cup winner to visit the White House during either of Trump's presidencies.

David Beckham, an Inter Miami co-owner, attended a White House ceremony with the LA Galaxy in 2012 after winning the 2011 MLS Cup. The Galaxy also visited for titles won in 2012 and 2014 with President Barack Obama. Obama also welcomed the Columbus Crew (2008), Real Salt Lake (2009), Colorado Rapids (2010) and Sporting Kansas City (2013) to the White House.

The last MLS club to visit the White House was the Columbus Crew, who visited Biden in 2024 to celebrate their 2023 title.

D.C. United was the first MLS winner to visit the White House in 1998 when President Bill Clinton was in office.

How did Messi, Inter Miami win MLS Cup?

Inter Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 towin the 2025 MLS Cupon Dec. 6, 2025.

When is Messi's next game?

Messi is expected to play when Inter Miami faces D.C. United at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Saturday, March 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET. The match will bestreamed by Apple TV.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Messi, Inter Miami visits Trump in White House, live updates

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 05, 2026

Inter Miami visits White House: Will Messi attend? Here's what we know

MLS Cup champion Inter Miami will visit PresidentDonald Trumpat the White House on Thursday, March 5 to commemorate their...

Read More

Hockey star Jack Hughes, Canadian pop star now 'exclusively' dating

Things are apparently getting hotter off the ice forU.S. Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes.

A source toldUs Weeklythat theNew Jersey Devilsforward and Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae are officially a couple.

"Tate and Jack are dating," the source said. "They started casually seeing each other late last year, so it's still new, but they are exclusively seeing each other."

Hughes, who scored the winning goal in overtime against Canada in the gold medal game at the2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, had been seen with McRaeon several occasionssince their first public appearance together last December.

Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. It seemed only fitting that the player who gave his two front teeth to Team USA's quest for Olympic hockey gold would score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Jack Hughes' gritty smile tells the story of USA's OT win over Canada

Jack Hughes#86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. It seemed only fitting that the player who gave his two front teeth to Team USA's quest for Olympic hockey gold would score the game-winning goal in a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.

The 22-year-old Canadian singer, who earned her first Grammy Award nomination last year for the soundtrack single "Just Keep Watching" from the film "F1," has also been spotted supporting Hughes at Devils games.

Advertisement

McRae is a big hockey fan, serving as a celebrity captain and performing live at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.

She is perhaps best known for her breakout hit "You Broke Me First," released in 2020.

McRae received some backlash from Canadians after her public support for Team USA at the Olympics, which led her to post on social media that she was still "Canada down."

Us Weeklyreports that the relationship started when Hughes messaged McRae on Instagram.

"They are making it work during this busy season, but hope to have more time together next month when his season ends," the magazine's source said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jack Hughes, Olympic hockey hero, dating Tate McRae, Canadian singer

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 05, 2026

Hockey star Jack Hughes, Canadian pop star now 'exclusively' dating

Things are apparently getting hotter off the ice forU.S. Olympic hockey hero Jack Hughes. A source toldUs Week...

Read More

War-hit Qatar still plans to host Argentina-Spain game with Messi and Yamal for UEFA

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA still plans for Qatar to stage the Argentina vs. Spain game known as Finalissima this month even as the emirate is targeted by Iranian missiles in thewidening Middle East warstarted by Israel and the United States.

Iran-US-Sports

"At present, there are no alternative venues being considered," UEFA said on Thursday about the scheduled March 27 game in Doha between the reigning champions of South America and Europe in a likely matchup of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.

"A final decision is anticipated towards the end of next week," said the European soccer body which organizes the game with South American counterpart CONMEBOL.

Argentina and Spain are due to play at Lusail Stadium that staged theepic 2022 World Cup final. Argentina won a penalty shootout against France after Messi scored twice and Kylian Mbappé got a hat track in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Qatar has close relations with UEFA. Its top soccer officialNasser Al-Khelaïfi,the president of Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain, is a member of the UEFA executive committee.

Advertisement

"Discussions are ongoing with the local organizers who have made a huge effort to make the match a success," UEFA said.

If Doha is too much of a security risk to host the game, it could be moved to Spain or elsewhere in Europe where nearly all the players in the two squads are based.

The first Finalissima was at Wembley Stadium in London in June 2022.Argentina and Messi beat Italy 3-0.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 05, 2026

War-hit Qatar still plans to host Argentina-Spain game with Messi and Yamal for UEFA

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA still plans for Qatar to stage the Argentina vs. Spain game known as Finalissima this month...

Read More

Formula 1: Ahead of the Australian GP, Max Verstappen says technical changes are complicated

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Four-time world champion Max Verstappenhas again taken aimat F1's new technical regulations ahead of the new season, calling them "pretty complicated" and that "it's a bit late" for last-minute rule tweaks.

Australia F1 GP Auto Racing

F1heads into a new era this year starting Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix, with unprecedented changes.

Verstappen has been the most outspoken against the change so far, calling the new cars "anti-racing" and "Formula E on steroids" during testing.

But at Melbourne's Albert Park, Verstappen said there was simply no point for the sport to try and regulate against the myriad of unknowns, which includes the start on Sunday, when it is expected that some drivers will have to rev their engines for around 10 seconds to spool up their turbos before lights out.

Advertisement

"Yeah, a bit late with that, right," Verstappen said. "The amount of money that has been invested as well into these regulations, they will be around for a while. I mean, you could have seen this coming — and suddenly now things are raised."

Verstappen, though, is thrilled with the initial performance of his Red Bull power unit on the squad's debut as a power unit manufacturer; an endlessly complex task. Even if he's none the wiser on his Red Bull team's place in the pecking order — despite it expected to be amongst the top four with rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

"I'm very happy with what we did in preseason," he said. "It's been a really great and proud moment for everyone — how the whole project came together between the engine and the car. I was really positively surprised with how basically everything felt."

AP auto racing:https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 05, 2026

Formula 1: Ahead of the Australian GP, Max Verstappen says technical changes are complicated

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Four-time world champion Max Verstappenhas again taken aimat F1's new technical regulatio...

Read More

From silence to song: Iran women’s anthem shift in Australia at the Women's Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — The Iran women's team sang and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women's Asian Cup contest against Australia on Thursday, a contrast to the silence before its opening game.

Women's Asia Cup Soccer Australia Iran

Thesilence during the anthembefore Monday's loss to South Korea was variously reported as an act of defiance or a show of mourning. The team didn't clarify.

But in a news conference on the eve of the game against Australia, Iran strikerSara Didar choked back tearsas she shared the concerns of players and management for their families and loved ones amid thewar in the Middle East.

The 21-year-old Didar was on the bench when Thursday's match started in pouring rain on the Gold Coast, where Iran is scheduled to play all three of its Group A games.

The Iranian women's squad arrived in Australia well before the strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran last Saturday.

Advertisement

The change in approach with the anthem between games in Australia seemed to mirror the Iranian men's team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The men didn't sing the national anthem before theiropening loss against Englandas turmoil overshadowed the start of their campaign. In their second game against Wales, the men sang along to the anthem and celebrated when they scored.

Iran was competing in that World Cup amid a violent crackdown on a major women's protest movement that was spurred by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country's morality police.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 05, 2026

From silence to song: Iran women’s anthem shift in Australia at the Women's Asian Cup

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — The Iran women's team sang and saluted as its national anthem played ahead of the Women...

Read More

Sentnor scores in 1-0 USWNT victory over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ally Sentnor scored in the 55th minute and the United States beat Canada 1-0 on Wednesday in the SheBelieves Cup tournament.

APTOPIX SheBelieves Canada United States Soccer

Sentnor scored her seventh international goal off a corner from Rose Lavelle, gathering the ball on a bounce before punching it past two defenders and Canada goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.

It was the United States' seventh straight shutout. The team hasn't allowed a goal since a 3-1 win over Portugal last October.

The United States sat atop the SheBelieves table with two wins, ahead of Canada and Colombia with one each. The Colombians defeated Argentina 1-0 in the earlier match Wednesday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Stadium.

The United States is 55-4-9 against Canada since their first meeting in 1986. The U.S. won the last meeting 3-0 in July 2025.

The Canadians' last win in the series came at the Tokyo Olympics. Jessie Fleming converted a penalty in a 1-0 semifinal victory. Canada went on to win the gold medal.

U.S. coach Emma Hayes included Trinity Rodman in the starting lineup despite Rodman taking a hit in the back late in Sunday's2-0 SheBelieves victory over Argentinain Nashville. Rodman struggled with a nagging back injury last year.

Advertisement

Canada, which defeated Colombia 4-1 in the tournament opener, was without Fleming because of an illness.

The game was scoreless after the first half despite the United States dominating possession by nearly 70%.

Sentnor, who plays professionally for the Kansas City Current, broke the stalemate with her third goal of the year. The 22-year-old was named U.S. Soccer's young player of the year in 2024.

Colombia will play the United States on Saturday in the tournament finale in Harrison, New Jersey. Canada plays Argentina in the early game.

It is the 11th annual SheBelieves Cup hosted by the United States. Canada was making its fourth appearance in the tournament.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 04, 2026

Sentnor scores in 1-0 USWNT victory over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ally Sentnor scored in the 55th minute and the United States beat Canada 1-0 on Wednesday in the Sh...

Read More

Ace right-hander Hunter Greene leaves Reds camp and is scheduled to have MRI on stiff right elbow

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Hunter Greene has left the Cincinnati Reds' spring training camp due to right elbow stiffness.

Manager Terry Francona and president of baseball operations Nick Krall told reporters on Wednesday that Greene will have an MRI in Cincinnati and be examined by team orthopedic consultant Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Greene also will consult with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Expected to be the Reds' ace, Greene added more lower-body work to hisoffseason routinein hopes of avoiding injuries.

Greene went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA last year, helping Cincinnati earn an NL wild card for its first playoff appearance since 2020. Greene, whose 99.5 mph average four-seam fastball velocity led the major leagues among those throwing at least 1,250 pitches, was limited to a career-low 19 starts and 107 2/3 innings. Still, his 296 pitches of 100 mph or higher were second in the major leagues behind Mason Miller's 422.

Advertisement

Greene was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 9 with a right groin strain. He returned on May 23 and made three starts before going back on the IL with the same injury. This time, he was sidelined until Aug. 13.

Greene, 26, is entering his fifth big ;eague season. He made the NL All-Star team for the first time in 2024 while going 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts. He also had 169 strikeouts in 150 1/3 innings despite spending time on the IL that year with elbow soreness.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

byCristiano Ronaldo

in

March 04, 2026

Ace right-hander Hunter Greene leaves Reds camp and is scheduled to have MRI on stiff right elbow

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Right-hander Hunter Greene has left the Cincinnati Reds' spring training camp due to right elb...

Read More