The White House says the task force – which will be chaired by President Trump — will oversee preparations for the Club World Cup, which is being hosted in the U.S. this summer, as well as the World Cup, which takes place in the U.S., Mexico and Canada next year. Vice President JD Vance will act as vice chair and an as yet unnamed executive director will oversee day-to-day operations. Trump signed the executive order in the Oval Office alongside Gianni Infantino, describing the FIFA president as “my friend for a long time.” Trump was president in 2018 when the 2026 tournament was awarded and the U.S. secured the right to host 75 percent of the matches. Trump’s administration also had a role in the bidding and lobbying process. However, the upcoming tournament comes amid the backdrop of the Trump imposing tariffs on co-hosts Canada and Mexico, as well as his derogatory comments about Mexican immigrants and rhetoric about Canada becoming America’s “51st state”. Asked about whether the threat of trade tariffs being imposed on fellow co-hosts would impact the World Cup, Trump replied: “I think it’s gonna make it more exciting. Tension is a good thing.” The Athletic reported in February that Trump’s 2018 commitment that “all eligible athletes, officials and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination” is also at significant risk of being unfulfilled, given concerns over visa wait times.
President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Task Force to oversee preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, a historic event set to coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary. The tournament is expected to be one of the largest sporting spectacles in history, offering significant economic and cultural opportunities for the country.
The United States is set to co-host the soccer showstopper along with Canada and Mexico - two nations Trump has threatened with a trade war - next summer. And in preparation for the international tournament arriving stateside, the President signed an executive order Friday establishing a White House Task Force for the event. 'We're going to be establishing a very important task force and that's on the FIFA World Cup of 2026, which as you know is a big event. It's going to be the biggest event, I think,' Trump said as he addressed reporters before turning to Infantine stood to his side. 'Everybody knows this man to my right, he's sort of the king of soccer, I guess. He was the one that was able to give it to us and we're going to do a fantastic job in making you at home.' The President then incorrectly claimed that it was the first time the World Cup had been held in 'this part of the world.' The United States hosted the 1994 edition of the tournament. 'It’s like three Super Bowls a day for a month,' Trump said repeating Infantino's phrasing. 'That's a lot.'
