Establishing The White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026

Signed 2025-03-07 Executive Orders

Analysis Document Document Links

TLDR

This executive order establishes a White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, chaired by President Trump with VP Vance as Vice Chair. The task force includes cabinet secretaries and senior officials, will be housed in DHS, and will coordinate America’s preparation for hosting the expanded 48-team tournament alongside Mexico and Canada. While projections suggest $40 billion in economic impact across North America, significant concerns exist about diplomatic tensions with co-hosts, restrictive immigration policies affecting international visitors, and infrastructure readiness for the approximately 6 million expected attendees.

President Trump signed an executive order establishing a White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, creating a high-level coordination mechanism for what is described as “the largest sporting event in history.” This analysis examines the order’s structure, potential economic impacts, and significant controversies surrounding the tournament.

The executive order establishes a task force chaired by President Trump himself, with Vice President Vance serving as Vice Chair. The task force includes numerous cabinet members and senior officials, including the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, Transportation, and Homeland Security, along with the Attorney General, National Security Advisor, FBI Director, and various White House Deputy Chiefs of Staff.

This task force will be administratively housed within the Department of Homeland Security, which will provide funding and support. All agencies must submit planning reports by June 1, 2025, and the task force will terminate on December 31, 2026, unless extended.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—the first time the tournament will be hosted by three nations. It will feature an expanded format with 48 teams (up from the traditional 32), running from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This will be the first men’s World Cup in the United States since 1994 and coincides with America’s 250th anniversary.

The executive order frames the World Cup as an economic opportunity, supported by various projections:

FIFA President Gianni Infantino claims the event could generate approximately $40 billion in economic impact and create around 200,000 jobs across North America
Individual host cities could see economic impacts ranging from $160-620 million per city
Los Angeles County projects $594 million from hosting eight matches
Seattle projects $929 million for King County from six matches
California expects over $1 billion in economic activity across Los Angeles and the Bay Area

The executive order comes amid significant tensions between the United States and its co-hosts. President Trump has recently imposed 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, creating diplomatic friction. When questioned about hosting the tournament amid these trade disputes, Trump remarked that “tension is beneficial; it enhances the excitement”—a statement that has raised eyebrows internationally.

Trump’s restrictive immigration policies have created significant concerns about accessibility for international fans:

Travel industry leaders have expressed “mounting concern” that the U.S. is “not ready to welcome the more than 6 million visitors” expected for the tournament
Long visa processing times could discourage many international fans from attending
FIFA stakeholders fear rigid immigration rules will make it difficult for supporters and even players to enter the U.S.
During Trump’s first term, he promised FIFA that World Cup organizations and fans would not face restrictions entering the U.S., but his current immigration policies could contradict these assurances

Beyond political concerns, there are practical questions about America’s readiness to host:

Travel executives warn that the U.S. could struggle to effectively stage the tournament without significant changes
Outdated systems and insufficient staffing could result in extended delays for travelers clearing customs
Security lines might extend outside of airports due to visitor volume
Until this executive order, the absence of a coordinated interagency task force had led to a disorganized federal approach

While the establishment of this task force represents a significant step toward preparing for the 2026 World Cup, the administration faces substantial challenges. The economic potential of the tournament is considerable, but diplomatic tensions with co-hosts, restrictive immigration policies, and infrastructure concerns could undermine the event’s success. U.S. prestige could “take a humiliating blow if red tape and bureaucratic bungling closed the borders to World Cup visitors,” making this both a significant diplomatic and logistical challenge for the Trump administration.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in anticipation of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the FIFA World Cup 2026, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.

Purpose.

The United States is a host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be the largest sporting event in history. This important event, taking place during the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of our country, presents an opportunity to showcase the Nation’s pride and hospitality while promoting economic growth and tourism through sport. My Administration will support preparations through a coordinated Government effort.

Sec. 2.

Establishing the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026.

(a) There is hereby established the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Task Force).

(b) The President shall be the Chair of the Task Force, and the Vice President shall serve as Vice Chair.

© The Chair shall designate an Executive Director, who shall administer and execute the day-to-day operations of the Task Force, and who shall report to the Chair through the Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Implementation. The Chair, the Vice Chair, or a member of the Task Force designated by the Chair, shall convene regular meetings of the Task Force, determine its agenda, and direct its work, consistent with this order. The Executive Director and the Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Implementation shall assist in the performance of these duties. The Chair may designate any member of the Task Force to preside over meetings of the Task Force.

(d) In addition to the Chair and Vice Chair, the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(i) the Secretary of State;

(ii) the Secretary of the Treasury;

(iii) the Secretary of Defense;

(iv) the Attorney General;

(v) the Secretary of Commerce;

(vi) the Secretary of Transportation;

(vii) the Secretary of Homeland Security;

(viii) the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs;

(ix) the Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff;

(x) the Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor;

(xi) the Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political and Public Affairs;

(xii) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

(xiii) the heads of such other executive departments, agencies, and offices that the Chair or the Vice Chair may, from time to time, designate or invite to participate.

(e) The Task Force shall coordinate with executive departments and agencies (agencies) to assist in the planning, organization, and execution of the events surrounding the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Agencies shall provide information and assistance useful and necessary to the Task Force.

(f) For administrative purposes, the Task Force shall be housed in the Department of Homeland Security, which shall provide funding and administrative support for the Task Force, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(g) Agencies within the Task Force shall each provide a report to the Task Force regarding their respective planning and activities with respect to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. These reports shall be submitted to the Executive Director of the Task Force no later than June 1, 2025.

(h) The Task Force shall terminate on December 31, 2026, unless extended by the President.

Sec. 3.

General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

© This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 7, 2025.