Donald Trump may skip World Cup matches as White House officials scramble to shield the president from viral Epstein-linked fan chants sung by England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand supporters at the 2026 tournament.

Donald Trump may skip World Cup matches featuring English-speaking teams, after savage fan chants connecting the president to his former associate Jeffrey Epstein spread like wildfire online.

Concern is reportedly running so high that serious questions are being raised about whether the US leader will even hand over the trophy at the July 19 final, amid mounting fears over what crowds might sing should he make an appearance. White House officials are said to be working overtime to protect Trump from the hostility in the stands, particularly from supporters of English-speaking nations.

Fans from England, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand have all crafted songs that now ring out through bars before matches and reverberate around stadiums during games. A source said: "There isn't a fan alive who doesn't know how fragile Trump's ego is. In recent months, he has had to contend with widespread booing whenever he attends major sporting events in America, but this is another level entirely. New Yorkers were furious when he turned up at the recent Knicks basketball game. But World Cup supporters are taking it to a whole new level, linking Trump to his friendship with Epstein and to his appearance in Epstein-related files. His staff are in crisis mode trying to prevent the President from being exposed to the chants in person, and that includes avoiding matches involving English-speaking teams." It comes after Iran stars left an emotional handwritten note in the World Cup locker room.

The Mirror has learned that primary broadcasters have been informed about the chants echoing through stadiums. Supporters are highlighting Trump's well-documented connection with Epstein, the pedophile who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

The two traveled in similar elite circles during the 1980s and 1990s and were captured together in photos on multiple occasions. In a 2002 interview with New York magazine, Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy" and said he was "a lot of fun to be with".

The president has subsequently attempted to create distance from his one-time associate, claiming the two had a falling out years prior to Epstein's criminal convictions and maintaining he banned him from Mar-a-Lago.

The matter has re-emerged in the political arena due to ongoing debates over the disclosure of Epstein-linked court filings and investigative materials. Trump's identity, alongside those of various prominent individuals, has surfaced in released documentation, though appearing in such records doesn't constitute proof of illegal activity or misconduct.

Trump has always denied any wrongdoing relating to the Epstein case, has not been accused of any crimes by law enforcement, and has never been identified as the subject of any investigation.

Nonetheless, the connection remains politically damaging. Numerous chants spreading throughout World Cup stadiums explicitly mention Epstein, his offenses and Trump's historical ties with him.

One Washington insider said: "For opponents of Trump, Epstein has become shorthand for a story that refuses to go away. Soccer supporters are seizing on that. Whether the White House likes it or not, they have found a chant that instantly gets a reaction because everyone knows exactly what it refers to."

Leading up to the tournament, Trump received a warm welcome from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who awarded him football's governing body's inaugural 'Peace Prize' at the World Cup draw. FIFA stated the honor was bestowed upon an individual who had "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and had "united people across the world".

Just weeks afterward, Trump authorized military strikes against Iran.

Infantino has paid multiple visits to the White House and has cultivated a tight-knit relationship with the President.

Trump has yet to show up at a single World Cup fixture despite the United States hosting the competition, an omission that has turned heads. While White House officials have publicly pointed to scheduling conflicts, Trump's choice to miss the United States' inaugural match was highly atypical for a host-nation leader.

Focus is now shifting to whether he will make an appearance at upcoming matches as an increasing number of fans embrace chants referencing Epstein. Australian supporters were among the first to make headlines after footage of thousands chanting anti-Trump songs went viral on social media.

Videos filmed in World Cup host cities have since racked up millions of views online.

The chants have emerged as one of the surprise storylines of the tournament, revealing how many fans outside America perceive the President. While host countries typically use World Cups as a platform for political leaders, Trump has stayed mostly behind the scenes.

Instead, top administration officials have represented the White House at games and tournament functions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those present at America's opening match while Trump stayed in Washington. Polarizing Health Secretary Robert F.

Kennedy Jr. has also shown up at matches and drawn considerable attention from spectators.

Footage shared online from the United States-Australia game in Seattle appeared to capture Kennedy being loudly jeered by portions of the crowd when displayed on stadium screens. The response captures the political atmosphere surrounding the tournament.

Trump has spent months touting the World Cup as proof of America's global stature and power. Yet football's audiences have proven a far less receptive crowd than the rallies where he is used to receiving praise.

The Washington insider added: "Unlike carefully managed campaign rallies, international football supporters are unpredictable at best and care nothing for political sensitivities. The issue is particularly acute with English-speaking supporters because their chants are instantly understood by American audiences and television viewers alike. As the tournament moves into the knockout stages, the possibility of England or Scotland making a deep run is becoming an increasing concern for those charged with keeping Trump calm."

It comes after a sickening discovery was made outside the Iran team's training base in Mexico.