President Trump announced on Friday that he is creating a task force to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America next year. The task force will oversee logistics and security for the entire event in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
“I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” Mr. Trump said of playing the World Cup amid sharp rhetoric between leaders of the host nations amid the on-again, off-again tariffs that have ratcheted up tensions across the continent. “Tension’s a good thing.”
The task force, which Trump will chair, will coordinate the federal government’s security and planning for the tournament, which is expected to draw millions of tourists from around the world. Vice President JD Vance will serve as vice-chair.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present for the announcement with the World Cup trophy.
Preparations are ramping up across the continent alongside tensions between the U.S. and its neighbors as Mr. Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs before backing off, spooking markets and leading to fears of a trade war and economic downturn. He also speaks pejoratively of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and muses about Canada becoming a U.S. state, which has boosted national pride north of the border.
Infantino, meanwhile, said the task force will ensure that each visitor who travels from around the world “feels safe, feels happy, and feels that we are doing something special.”
“So we’re here to create and make the best show on the planet ever,” Infantino said. He gave Mr. Trump a personalized game ball and unveiled an elaborate trophy that will go to the winner of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will pit top soccer clubs against each other this summer ahead of next year’s matchup of national teams.
Soccer’s biggest tournament will have games spread across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico over the course of a month.
Eleven U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, will host World Cup matches. The 10 other U.S. host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Toronto and Vancouver are the Canadian host cities, while Mexico will have three host cities: Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.
The task force’s responsibilities will include coordinating transportation, security, and accommodations for teams and fans, as well as ensuring the smooth operation of all World Cup-related events. The task force will work closely with local authorities in each host city to address any potential challenges or security concerns.
President Trump emphasized the economic benefits of hosting the World Cup, noting that the tournament will generate significant revenue for the host countries and boost tourism and local businesses. He also highlighted the cultural significance of the event, bringing together people from different countries and showcasing the diversity and unity of North America.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be one of the largest and most-watched sporting events in history, with billions of viewers tuning in from around the world to watch the matches. The tournament will feature the best national teams competing for the prestigious title of world champions, with intense competition and thrilling matches expected throughout the month-long event.
Overall, the creation of the task force by President Trump demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. government to ensuring the success and safety of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and highlights the importance of international cooperation and collaboration in hosting major sporting events.
