Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday challenged U.S. President Donald Trump to a friendly wager on the upcoming World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers — but said the president has yet to respond.
“I think he’s afraid to make a bet,” Carney joked to The Associated Press while watching batting practice at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, a day before Game 1 of the series.
“He doesn’t like to lose. He hasn’t called. He hasn’t returned my call yet on the bet, so I’m ready. We’re ready to make a bet with the U.S.”
Newsweek has reached out to the White House via email on Thursday evening for comment.
Carney predicted the Blue Jays would win the best-of-seven series in six games.
“This country is so pumped. I think the world is so pumped for this series,” he said, pointing to global interest driven in part by Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
The Blue Jays, Canada’s only Major League Baseball team, carry the hopes of an entire nation into the championship.
The lighthearted challenge comes against a backdrop of lingering trade tensions between the two countries. Trump has previously threatened Canada with tariffs and once suggested it could become “the 51st state.” Relations have improved somewhat in recent months as Carney works to finalize a trade deal with the U.S.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
