Trump forms task force for FIFA 2026 preparation
Photo: Donald Trump (Getty Images)
On Friday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a White House task force that will oversee preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The upcoming tournament will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, according to CNN and NBC News.
According to the executive order, the stated mission of the task force is to “showcase the Nation’s pride and hospitality while promoting economic growth and tourism.” Trump will chair of the body.
Media reports state that the American leader takes pride in the fact that the United States will be one of the host countries for the tournament. He was president in 2018 when the three countries were awarded the right to host the championship. According to Trump, he plans to attend some of the matches.
“It’s a great honor for our country to have it. Actually, it’s a big deal. It’s, I don’t know which is bigger, the Olympics of the World Cup,” Trump said, alluding to the Summer Games coming to Los Angeles in 2028.
He also stated that the current disagreements with Mexico and Canada will make the tournament more exciting.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present at the announcement. He noted that the championship will create around 200,000 jobs and generate an economic impact of approximately $40 billion. The tournament, which is set to begin in June 2026, is expected to attract around 8 million foreign tourists to the United States.
“America will welcome the world. There will be millions of people coming, Mr. President, millions of people,” Infantino said, thanking the president for setting up the task force and presiding on it to convey the importance of the tournament.
