Trump Establishes White House Task Force for 2026 FIFA World Cup

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order forming a White House task force to oversee preparations for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup. The task force, which was first reported by OutKick, will be chaired by Trump himself, with Vice President JD Vance serving as vice chair. An executive director, yet to be named, will manage the day-to-day operations.

“We’re going to be establishing a task force, a very important task force … and that’s on the FIFA World Cup of 2026, which is, you know, a big event,” Trump stated. “It’s going to be the biggest event, I think.”

The newly established task force will coordinate efforts with federal agencies to ensure the smooth execution of the tournament, as well as the 2025 Club World Cup, which serves as a prelude to the main event. According to a draft fact sheet, the United States expects to welcome over 8 million international visitors for the month-long tournament, which kicks off in June 2026. Trump has indicated that he plans to attend several matches.

Trump played a key role in securing the U.S. bid to co-host the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico in 2018. He regards the successful bid as a major accomplishment of his presidency and has previously displayed a replica of the World Cup trophy in the Oval Office. Despite ongoing tensions with Canada and Mexico, Trump suggested these challenges would “make it more exciting.”

“It’s a great honor for our country to have it. Actually, it’s a big deal. I don’t know which is bigger, the Olympics or the World Cup,” he remarked, referencing the 2028 Summer Olympics set to take place in Los Angeles.

The executive order comes amid concerns over the United States’ readiness to accommodate the influx of international visitors. A recent CNN report highlighted apprehensions from travel industry leaders, including U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman and MGM Resorts International President and CEO William Hornbuckle. They raised concerns over the country’s ability to handle increased visa applications, customs processing, and security measures for the tournament.

Lengthy visa wait times, outdated airport technology, and staffing shortages could pose significant challenges, potentially deterring thousands of fans from attending. Freeman and Hornbuckle emphasized the need for federal coordination, urging the government to form an interagency task force to streamline preparations.

While they acknowledged Trump’s commitment to hosting the tournament successfully, they expressed concerns over the administration’s sense of urgency in addressing logistical challenges. They believe the newly established task force is a crucial step toward ensuring a seamless and successful World Cup experience for players, officials, and fans alike.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws closer, the White House task force will be expected to play a pivotal role in orchestrating the complex logistical operations required to host the world’s largest sporting event on American soil.