Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026

Fact Sheets

This is a "fact"sheet for an executive order signed by President Trump which establishes a White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This task force will oversee preparations for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The task force will be chaired by President Trump himself, with Vice President JD Vance serving as vice chair. An executive director, yet to be appointed, will manage daily operations. The committee includes cabinet members from Treasury, Defense, Homeland Security, and Commerce departments, along with the Attorney General.

The stated purpose is to “showcase the Nation’s pride and hospitality while fostering economic development and tourism through sport”. The task force will coordinate federal agencies’ efforts in planning and executing both the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup.

The executive order makes significant economic claims about the tournament’s impact:

  • FIFA President Infantino projected the U.S. could generate approximately $40 billion from both the 2025 and 2026 tournaments combined
  • Host cities are expected to welcome 450,000 visitors with potential net economic impacts up to $480 million per city
  • The White House estimates the World Cup will generate around 40,000 jobs

However, these projections appear inflated compared to independent analyses. A 2018 Boston Consulting Group study estimated the entire North American economic activity from the tournament at just over $5 billion, with approximately 40,000 jobs supported across all three host countries. This represents a significant discrepancy from the administration’s claims.

The timing of this task force is notable, as it comes amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and its co-host nations. Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico, creating economic uncertainty. When questioned about hosting the tournament amid these tensions, Trump remarked: “I think it’s going to make it more exciting…Tension’s a good thing”.

The executive order also appears connected to Trump’s broader “Task Force 250” initiative focused on celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, suggesting the World Cup preparations are being incorporated into his larger vision for patriotic celebrations during this milestone year.

Travel industry leaders have expressed significant concerns about U.S. readiness for the tournament, including:

  • Lengthy visa processing times that may deter international visitors
  • Outdated technology and staffing shortages at customs
  • Potential security line issues at airports

These logistical challenges represent real obstacles that the task force will need to address to ensure the tournament’s success.

The executive order establishes that the task force will terminate on December 31, 2026, unless extended by the President.

TLDR

The referenced executive order establishes a White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, chaired by President Trump with Vice President Vance as vice chair. The task force will coordinate federal preparations for both the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. While the administration projects significant economic benefits ($40 billion, 40,000 jobs), these figures appear inflated compared to independent analyses. The task force faces challenges including visa processing delays, customs issues, and growing trade tensions with co-host nations. The task force will terminate December 31, 2026, unless extended.

PREPARING THE UNITED STATES FOR A HISTORIC SPORTING EVENT:

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026.

  • The United States will host the FIFA Club World Cup 2026, anticipated to be one of the largest sporting events in history, coinciding with our nation’s 250th anniversary.
  • The Executive Order establishes a task force to oversee preparations for the FIFA events, comprised of members of President Trump’s cabinet and key government agencies.
    • President Trump will chair the task force, Vice President Vance will serve as Vice Chair, and an Executive Director will manage daily operations.
  • The task force will coordinate with Federal agencies in planning, organizing, and executing the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup.
  • This Order underscores President Trump’s commitment to showcasing national pride, hospitality, and economic opportunity through sports tourism.

MAXIMIZING ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPACT THROUGH STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP:

President Trump understands the value that major sporting events like this can bring to America and is committed to leveraging these opportunities to promote American excellence.

  • The 2026 World Cup is projected to draw massive crowds, significantly boosting local businesses, infrastructure development, and job creation.

    • 2026 World Cup host cities can expect to see up to 450,000 visitors and a potential net economic impact of up to $480 million.

    • Tourism, hospitality, and retail industries will benefit from increased international and domestic visitors.

  • Global sporting events like the FIFA World Cup captivate audiences worldwide.

    • The 2018 World Cup final reached an average live audience of 517 million viewers, with more than 1.1 billion people tuning in over its 90 minutes.

    • The 2022 World Cup saw over 5 billion people engage with the tournament across platforms.

  • This initiative aligns with President Trump’s broader economic agenda, using the global spotlight to attract foreign investment and strengthen America’s position as a top destination for sports and tourism.

CELEBRATING AMERICA’S GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT:

President Trump is taking every opportunity to showcase American greatness on the world stage.

  • President Trump created a White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, ensuring the nation’s rich history and bright future are highlighted on this milestone year.
  • In his first term, President Trump played a pivotal role in securing the United States’ bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles—an event he will now oversee as President.
  • Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a historic opportunity to unite the nation, celebrate American excellence, and reinforce our status as a premier global destination for major events.