A women’s international friendly between Brazil and the United States in Sao Paulo on Saturday, June 7, 2026, saw political tensions spill onto the pitch, as Brazilian fans allegedly chanted an anti-Donald Trump slogan during the US national anthem. The incident occurred just days after the Trump administration proposed new tariffs on Brazilian imports, adding a charged atmosphere to Brazil’s 2-1 victory.
According to Total Pro Sports, supporters in the stands were heard chanting, “Hey Trump, go f*** yourself,” a direct response to the economic measures announced earlier in the week. The sentiment quickly gained traction online, with one social media user noting, “I didn’t see people commenting enough about the fans telling Trump to f*** off during the United States national anthem.”
Tariff proposals fuel public anger
The fan protest directly followed the Trump administration’s announcement on Monday, June 2, 2026, of proposed 25% tariffs on various imports from Brazil. The US justified the move by accusing Brazil of “unreasonable” trade practices that “burden or restrict US commerce,” despite the US having maintained a goods trade surplus with Brazil for several years, as reported by The Guardian.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated “substantial differences in resolving the issues identified in this investigation.” Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reacted strongly to the news, stating, “I received the decision ‘with indignation’.” The Brazilian government also issued a statement affirming its commitment to “adopt every measure that is capable of reducing the damage that might be caused to the national economy, to the jobs and the income of Brazilians.” A public hearing on the proposed tariffs is scheduled for July 6.
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On-field action sees Brazil triumph
Amidst the political backdrop, the football match itself delivered an exciting contest between two top-tier nations. The US took an early lead through Sophia Wilson in the second minute. However, Brazil fought back, with goals from Taina Maranhao and Beatriz Zaneratto Joao securing a 2-1 win for the home side.
US head coach Emma Hayes reflected on the tight encounter, acknowledging the quality of both teams. “I think we did a better job [in the] second half. That is where we dominated, in the duels,” Hayes commented. “The difference between two teams is Brazil took their chances and we didn’t take ours. And it’s exactly what I expected because both of us are top teams. We both played in the Olympic gold-medal final. It’s going to be very close between us. It was a fun game, but also at the top level it’s about details.”
With Brazil set to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the victory provides a boost, but the political undertones of the friendly suggest that the relationship between the two nations extends far beyond the football pitch.
Sources: www.totalprosports.com, www.theguardian.com
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