USA, Canada, Mexico and Panama: sporting and political tension in North America

The United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama contest the Nations League final tournament in North America – the teams can hardly avoid the political situation.

For the four teams involved, in view of US President Donald Trump, tensions of punitive tariffs imposed, hard action against immigration from Mexico, threatened Annexion Canada or taking the Panama channel are determining topics in the countries, whose teams are now guests in the USA in the United Angeles at the Concacaf Nations League final tournament.

The semi -finals are pending on Friday night. Concacaf is responsible for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, it is comparable to the UEFA. The games that all take place in Inglewood near Los Angeles:

In around 15 months, three of the countries involved are to carry out the World Cup together with the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Canada’s trainer assumes Trump “arrogance and disregard”

The US citizen Jesse Marsch is a coach of the Canadian national team. Already at the end of February, he spoke clear words about Trump’s statements repeated by Trump on plans for a conversion of Canada into a US state. Again and again there were recently boos, whistles and politically charged emotions in games between teams from Canada and the USA in ice hockey or basketball.

“If I have a message to our president, then the to put an end to the ridiculous saying on Canada as the 51st state of the USA”said Marsch in February. “As an American, I was ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we have brought up to one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”

On Wednesday (03/19/25) Marsch said in a press conference: “The players are not isolated, they are very aware of the political question. They know what I said. They know what’s going on.” The mood is “charged”. He jokingly added: “But they also don’t want to be political actors, that has to do their stupid American coach.”

“Golf of America? For me it remains the Gulf of Mexico”

Javier Aguirre is the coach of Mexico. The southern neighboring country is often publicly attacked by Donald Trump in terms of migration. Most recently, he named the Gulf of Mexico into the gold of America in the United States. “For me it is obvious that it is the Gulf of Mexico,” said Aguirre, who added that he had compassion with immigrants who were looking for a fresh start in the United States. His parents fled from the Basque Country after the Spanish Civil War and settled in Mexico. “It is not easy to leave your country in search of a better life. I am very identifying with these people who came to the USA in search of the American dream.”

Panama also had to avoid Trump’s attacks recently, and he wanted to put the Panama Canal ship through under control from the United States. Greenland, politically self -managed part of Denmark, also wanted to tear Trump. Panaman’s coach is Thomas Christiansen, born in Denmark, who used to play 96 for VfL Bochum and Hannover. But he didn’t let himself be dragged into the mangea. “If you want to talk about football systems or tactics, I am happy to be ready,” he said. “But politics is not my thing.”

USA coach: “Want to destroy Panama – in sports”

Mauricio Pochettino from Argentina is currently training the United States. Before the semi -finals against Panama, he said that he had hit march. “We are very friendly,” emphasized Pochettino. “We are not allowed to mix politics with sport. Of course I have my views. But football is football.” When asked about the opponent, he said: “We want to destroy Panama. And then destroy the next opponent. But I mean in a sporting point of view. The motivation must not come from a political problem.”

There was also at least a positioning in the US team. Christian Pulisic cheered a goal against Jamaica with a dance performance in which he swung his hips while moving his arms back and forth. Trump also performed this dance at the end of his campaign events. “It was just fun,” said Pulisic later.