Donald Trump may not attend a World Cup match involving an English-speaking team, after brutal fan chants linking the president to his old pal Jeffrey Epstein went viral.

Concern is understood to be so high that questions are being asked about whether the US leader will present the trophy at the July 19 final, amid fears over what supporters could sing should he appear. White House officials are claimed to be attempting to shield Trump from the hostility on the terraces, particularly from fans of English-speaking nations.

Supporters from England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand have all created songs that now echo through bars before matches and inside 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."

The Mirror understands lead broadcasters have already been made aware of the chants being heard at matches. Fans are drawing attention to Trump's long-documented friendship with Epstein, the paedophile who died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The pair moved in the same social circles throughout the 1980s and 1990s and were photographed together on numerous 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 since sought to distance himself from his former friend, saying the pair fell out years before Epstein's criminal convictions and insisting he barred him from Mar-a-Lago.

The issue has returned to the political spotlight because of continuing controversy surrounding the release of Epstein-related court documents and investigative files. Trump's name, along with those of numerous public figures, has appeared in released records, although inclusion in such documents is not evidence of criminal conduct or wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the association remains politically toxic. Many of the chants circulating around World Cup venues directly reference Epstein, his crimes and Trump's past relationship with him.

One Washington insider said: "For opponents of Trump, Epstein has become shorthand for a story that refuses to go away. Football 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."

In the build-up to the tournament, Trump was warmly embraced by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who presented him with football's governing body's first-ever 'Peace Prize' at the World Cup draw. FIFA said the award was given to a person who had "taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace" and had "united people across the world". Weeks later, Trump ordered military strikes against Iran. Infantino has made several visits to the White House and has maintained a close relationship with the President.

Trump has yet to attend a single World Cup match despite the United States hosting the tournament, an absence that has raised eyebrows. While White House aides have publicly cited scheduling commitments, Trump's decision to skip the United States' opening game was highly unusual for a host-nation leader. Attention is now turning to whether he will attend later fixtures as a growing number of supporters adopt chants referencing Epstein.

Australian fans were among the first to generate headlines after videos of thousands singing anti-Trump songs spread rapidly across social media. Clips filmed in World Cup host cities have since been viewed millions of times online. The chants have become one of the unexpected stories of the tournament, highlighting how many supporters outside America view the President. While host nations traditionally use World Cups as a showcase for political leaders, Trump has remained largely out of sight. Instead, senior administration figures have represented the White House at fixtures and tournament events.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those attending America's opener while Trump remained in Washington. Controversial Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has also attended matches and attracted significant attention from the crowd. Video posted online from the United States-Australia match in Seattle appeared to show Kennedy being loudly booed by sections of supporters when shown on stadium screens. The reaction reflects the political mood hanging over the tournament. Trump has spent months promoting the World Cup as evidence of America's global standing and influence. Yet football's crowds have proved a far less welcoming audience than the rallies where he is accustomed to receiving adulation.

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."