Trump Forms Task Force to Oversee 2026 World Cup Preparations Amid North American Tensions

President Donald Trump announced the creation of a federal task force on Friday to oversee preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament to North America. Trump, who will chair the task force, said the group will coordinate security and logistical planning as millions of visitors are expected to travel to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico for the month-long event.

“It’s a great honor for our country to have it,” Trump said after meeting with FIFA officials. He also expressed enthusiasm for attending multiple games.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature an expanded 48-team format, with a record 104 matches played across the three host nations. The majority of games—78—will take place in the United States, while Canada and Mexico will each host 13 matches. The tournament will culminate in a final match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the new task force, emphasizing its role in ensuring that fans, players, and officials feel safe and welcomed. “We’re here to create and to make the best show on the planet ever,” Infantino said. He presented Trump with a personalized soccer ball and unveiled the trophy for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that will serve as a precursor to the national team competition.

Trump’s announcement comes at a time of fluctuating trade relations and political tensions between the three host nations. His repeated threats of tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports have unsettled markets, while his past remarks about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—including joking about Canada becoming a U.S. state—have stirred nationalistic sentiments north of the border. Despite these tensions, Trump said he believes the World Cup will be an exciting moment for the continent. “Tension’s a good thing,” he remarked.

The tournament’s expansion will present significant logistical and security challenges, with FIFA officials likening it to organizing three Super Bowls a day for an entire month. The Trump administration will also face another major sporting event on the world stage two years later, when Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Summer Olympics—the first time the Games will be held in the U.S. since the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

As preparations ramp up, the task force will work closely with FIFA, local governments, and law enforcement agencies to ensure a smooth and secure tournament. While soccer’s popularity has grown in the U.S. in recent years, the World Cup is expected to further boost the sport’s profile in a country where it has historically played a secondary role to American football, basketball, and baseball.