Qatar 2022: US President Biden gives football team pep talk ahead of their World Cup campaign

US President Joe Biden telephoned the American World Cup team ahead of their opener against Wales, telling them: “Let’s go shock ’em all.”

Mr Biden called the team on Friday, the US Soccer Federation said.

“It says POTUS [President of the United States]. That’s where it’s coming from,” US coach Gregg Berhalter said, reading the phone’s caller ID, according to excerpts of a video of players listening to the call.

“Coach, put me in. I’m ready to play,” Mr Biden began, echoing John Fogerty’s 1985 song Centerfield.