President Trump established a White House task force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an event that will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The task force will be chaired by the president and include key members of various federal departments including the secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, Transportation and Homeland Security. Vice President J.D. Vance will be vice chairman. Per the order, Trump will appoint an executive director to manage day-to-day operations and there will be regular meetings of the task force to determine its agenda and direct its work.
The soccer tournament will be held in 16 North American cities, 11 in the U.S.
"The United States is a host nation for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be the largest sporting event in history," the order states. "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."
The U.S. Travel Association applauded the move, saying it would ensure a seamless and secure experience for the potential 8 million visitors that could come to the U.S. for the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
"The creation of this task force was a top priority for U.S. Travel and will ensure the U.S. is fully prepared to host the world's largest sporting event," said U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman. "We are grateful for the administration's leadership in bringing together the necessary resources to support the massive influx of travelers, and we are confident this will lay the foundation for a truly transformative mega-decade of events."
U.S. Travel recently called on the administration to establish a White House task force to oversee national travel policy and modernize its air travel system to prepare for a decade of global events taking place in the U.S., including the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup and America's 250th anniversary. According to the report, those events alone can bring 40 million international visitors to the U.S., driving $95 billion in economic activity.