President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a specialized task force dedicated to preparing for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across North America. This newly established committee will be responsible for managing logistics and security throughout the tournament, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“I believe it will add to the excitement,” Trump stated when discussing the tournament’s backdrop of ongoing trade tensions between the host nations. With fluctuating tariffs and strong political discourse shaping international relations, he added, “Tension can be a positive thing.”
As the chair of the task force, Trump will oversee the federal government’s role in the event’s security and overall planning. Vice President JD Vance will serve as vice chair, ensuring smooth coordination between agencies.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined Trump for the announcement, bringing along the prestigious World Cup trophy.
Preparations are in full swing across all three host nations, despite the economic uncertainties fueled by Trump’s repeated threats of imposing tariffs, which have created waves in global markets. The U.S. president has also made controversial remarks about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and even hinted at Canada integrating into the U.S., which has sparked strong nationalistic sentiments among Canadians.
Infantino emphasized the task force’s mission to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for global visitors, ensuring they feel “safe, happy, and part of something truly special.”
“Our goal is to deliver the greatest show on Earth,” Infantino remarked. During the event, he presented Trump with a personalized soccer ball and introduced the elaborate trophy set to be awarded to the winner of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a precursor to the grand international tournament in 2026.
The World Cup matches will be spread across 16 cities in North America over the span of a month.
In the U.S., 11 cities will play host, including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Toronto and Vancouver will represent Canada, while Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey have been selected as Mexico’s host cities.
During a meeting with FIFA officials on Friday, Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the event.
“This is a tremendous honor for our country,” he told reporters, further sharing his plans to attend multiple matches.
Sources close to CBS News Philadelphia confirmed that the city is moving forward with its existing plans for hosting. Earlier this week, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 unveiled its official FIFA World Cup poster, marking another milestone in preparations for the tournament
