Trump establishes White House task force for 2026 World Cup

Trump signed the executive order that created the task force alongside the presence of Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA.

The United States will be co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mexico and Canada. Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and its northern and southern neighbors are high amid the tariffs Trump placed on Mexico and Canada’s imports. However, Trump said this could add more fun to the tournament. 

“I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” Trump said. “Tension is a good thing. It makes it much more exciting.”

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was also present during Trump’s signing of the executive order. She shared that she’ll be running “incident command centers” in the host cities.

Following the Copa América final in Florida last summer, concerns have been raised regarding America’s ability to host either event due to an incident at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Fans without tickets stormed the stadium, trampling security officers 

Both tournaments are expected to bring a major boost to the U.S. economy, according to Infantino. 

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Between the two sporting events, the United States is estimated to bring in $40 billion and Infantino predicts the tournament will add 200,000 jobs. 

The Fifa Club World Cup, which has been expanded from previous years, features some of the biggest teams from around the world including Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid. Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will be taking part and games will take place in multiple cities across the U.S., including Washington, D.C.

The World Cup the following year kicks off in Mexico City, and will see games in the likes of Seattle, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia and more. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Messi’s Argentina are the defending champions, having won in Qatar in 2022.