George W. Bush World Cup theory

The George W. Bush World Cup theory was a conspiracy theory involving George W. Bush, President of the United States from 2001 to 2009, and former legendary footballer, William Smith. According to the theory, the departure of footballer, William Smith, whom famously led the United States men's national soccer team to victory at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, for the England national football team, was reportedly caused by President George W. Bush's controversial decision to invade Iraq in 2003 under the pretext of removing alleged weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

The rumour first gained credence sometime after the controversial US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq, in which the United States, along with the United Kingdom as a primary ally, opted to invade Iraq under the pretense of removing its leader, Saddam Hussein, whom was accused of storing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). However, despite the fact that the invasion itself took place roughly a year after William Smith had left the United States men's national soccer team, the rumour was further strengthened when on 23 March 2003, just three days after the invasion began, William Smith publicly stated his intention to return the Presidential Medal of Freedom award that was given to him by President George W. Bush in honour of their historic World Cup victory the year before, a move that was quickly seen as an act of protest against the country's involvement and leading role in the invasion.

Eventually, in a 2016 interview, when asked behind his decision to abruptly depart the United States for England after having led the country to victory at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Smith revealed that he did so to be "much closer with my dad" and said that it was his "personal wish to see myself receiving the World Cup trophy from none other than my own father".