Vice President J.D. Vance has no fear in sharing what is on his mind in front of a television camera, but his latest comments about the upcoming 2026 World Cup are getting him a kick in the pants. 

During an announcement highlighting the son of exiled former mayor and Trump attorney, Andrew Giuliani, as the leader of a FIFA 2026 World Cup Task Force, the vice president took an opportunity to issue an unfortunate line.

VANCE: We’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the games. But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem

AUDIENCE: ???? pic.twitter.com/AzJyFscFZG

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 6, 2025

There in the East Room of the White House, sitting with President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, is the second most influential person in America launching verbal threats toward regular tourists. 

“I know we’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries, we want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game,” Vance said at the meeting of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday. “But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise, they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem.” 

North America is the host, not only the United States. Mexico and Canada will join our country in welcoming soccer teams worldwide, but what seems to be falling on deaf ears is that FIFA made this a continental game, not a country game. Currently, foreign relations with our neighbors to the north and south are rather strained, given tariffs, border control, and various inflammatory comments. 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates 2 million international visitors will walk onto North American soil to attend any number of games in various states and countries. 

Since that moment, leaders, influencers, and regular fans of the quadrennial soccer event have been trolling the vice president—and, in essence, our country. Among the many notes in response have been: 

“He turned a World Cup welcome into a fear-mongering deportation line. Zero applause. Zero charisma. Zero clue.” – Nikos Unity, songwriter

“Message to VP Vance: With all the arbitrary detentions of foreign visitors on the ludicrous ground by ICE, don’t be surprised if alot [sic] of foreign fans decide to give a pass to a trip to the USA, and watch it at home. The US is no longer a safe destination for foreign tourists.” – Phil Robertson, human rights and labor activist

“Tourism just took another 25 percent hit.” – Bill Johnson, influencer

Others have compared this comment to “1936 Olympic vibes,” equating this to Hitler or clamoring about the national disgrace Americans should feel for this happening at a World Cup press conference. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the press conference, “America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, and to celebrate the game will be able to do that.” 

Many don’t believe that on the heels of Vance’s comments. 

Regretfully, this isn’t the only sports debacle involving VP Vance. Last month, he was ridiculed for fumbling the Ohio State University’s College Football Playoff National Championship trophy.