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Mar 08 2025
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to establish a White House task force dedicated to overseeing the preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The task force, which will be chaired by Trump himself, will work to ensure that the U.S. is fully prepared to handle the immense logistical challenges posed by hosting the tournament.
Vice President JD Vance will serve as vice chair of the task force, with an executive director to be appointed later to manage day-to-day operations. Trump emphasized the importance of the event, calling the 2026 World Cup “the biggest event,” predicting its significance would rival even the Olympics.
“We’re going to be establishing a task force, a very important task force … and that’s on the FIFA World Cup of 2026, which is a big event,” Trump stated. “It’s going to be the biggest event, I think.”
The task force will coordinate efforts across federal agencies to prepare for both the 2025 Club World Cup and the World Cup itself, which kicks off in June 2026. The event is expected to draw more than 8 million international visitors to the U.S. for the monthlong tournament. Trump has indicated that he plans to attend some of the matches.
Having been president when the U.S. won the bid to host the World Cup in 2018, Trump views the tournament as a major achievement for the nation. He has frequently displayed a replica of the World Cup trophy behind his desk in the Oval Office. Reflecting on current tensions with Mexico and Canada, Trump suggested the atmosphere would add excitement to the tournament.
“It’s a great honor for our country to have it. Actually, it’s a big deal,” Trump said. “I don’t know which is bigger, the Olympics or the World Cup.”
The executive order comes a day after concerns were raised by travel executives about the U.S.’s readiness to accommodate the influx of visitors for the tournament. In interviews with CNN, Geoff Freeman, president of the U.S. Travel Association, and William Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts International, expressed worries about the U.S. travel system’s ability to handle the expected surge of foreign travelers. They highlighted issues such as lengthy visa approval times, outdated technology, and staffing shortages that could lead to delays for visitors arriving in the U.S.
One suggestion from Freeman and Hornbuckle was the establishment of an interagency task force to streamline the preparation process, bringing together federal agencies to coordinate efforts more efficiently. They noted that while they believed Trump took the hosting responsibilities seriously, they had not seen the level of urgency they had hoped for.
Hornbuckle pointed out that most countries have dedicated ministries of tourism and sports to oversee such events, but the U.S. lacks similar structures. He emphasized the need for a unified approach to ensure the success of the World Cup.
In response to these concerns, Freeman praised the formation of the White House task force, calling it a “critical action” to ensure a smooth and secure experience for visitors.
“The creation of this task force was a top priority for U.S. Travel and will ensure the U.S. is fully prepared to host the world’s largest sporting event,” Freeman said. “We are grateful for the administration’s leadership in bringing together the necessary resources to support the massive influx of travellers.”
The task force is part of a broader effort to position the U.S. as a prime destination for international sporting events, which aligns with Trump’s economic agenda. The administration views hosting the World Cup as an opportunity to attract foreign investment and enhance the country’s global standing.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who joined Trump for the announcement, highlighted the economic benefits of the event, including the creation of around 200,000 jobs and an estimated $40 billion economic impact. Infantino also noted that the tournament’s scale would be unprecedented, comparing it to hosting multiple Super Bowls each day for an entire month.
“America will welcome the world. There will be millions of people coming,” Infantino said, thanking Trump for establishing the task force. “It’s important that everyone who comes to America feels safe, feels welcome.”
The task force will be integral in ensuring that the U.S. is prepared to host the World Cup, making sure that the country’s infrastructure, security, and visitor services are ready for the massive event.
