President Donald Trump has formed a task force to oversee preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America. The event is expected to heighten tensions between the host countries due to ongoing trade disputes, especially with Trump’s fluctuating tariffs.
“I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” Trump commented on the World Cup amid the current tensions between the leaders of the three host nations. “Tension’s a good thing.”
The task force, led by Trump, will handle the federal government’s security and logistical planning for the tournament, which is expected to attract millions of tourists to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“It’s a great honor for our country to have it,” Trump said after a meeting with officials from FIFA, the international soccer governing body. He expressed interest in attending multiple World Cup matches.
As preparations ramp up across North America, relations between the United States and its neighbors remain tense. Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs, causing instability in markets and raising concerns about a potential trade war and economic slowdown. His frequent criticism of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and remarks about the possibility of Canada becoming a U.S. state have sparked a sense of national pride in Canada.
For the 2026 World Cup, the tournament will expand to include 48 teams and 104 matches, marking the first time the event will be hosted by three countries. Of the 104 matches, 78 will take place in the U.S., with Mexico and Canada each hosting 13 games. The tournament could feature as many as six matches per day. The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the task force will work to ensure that every visitor traveling from around the world “feels safe, happy, and believes that we are creating something special.”
“We are here to create the best show on the planet,” Infantino added. During the meeting, he presented President Trump with a personalized game ball and revealed a detailed trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. This tournament will bring together top soccer clubs this summer, leading up to next year’s national team competition.
Trump later invited Gianni Infantino to showcase the World Cup trophy at the beginning of a White House cryptocurrency summit. Infantino emphasized that the United States, where soccer continues to grow in popularity but remains a niche sport, is a major opportunity for soccer’s expansion.
He compared hosting the World Cup to organizing three Super Bowls every day for a month, a significant logistical and security challenge for the host countries.
The Trump administration will face another major global sports event in 2028, when the Summer Olympics are held in California. This will be the first time the U.S. hosts the Games since Salt Lake City in 2002.