Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been actively involved in preparations for the 2026 #FIFA FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He has expressed strong support for the tournament and has taken steps to ensure its success.
In March 2025, Trump signed an executive order establishing a White House Task Force dedicated to overseeing the 2026 #worldcup World Cup preparations. He appointed Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as the Executive Director of the task force. Giuliani, who previously served as a special assistant during Trump's first term, was praised by Trump for his competitiveness and enthusiasm for the project .
Trump has emphasized the potential economic benefits of hosting the World Cup, projecting significant boosts to tourism and job creation. He described the upcoming tournament as potentially the best-run in FIFA's history, highlighting its expected global appeal and anticipated attendance of over five million fans .
However, the administration has also underscored strict immigration policies in the context of the tournament. Vice President JD Vance warned international football fans, including those from Ireland, not to overstay their visits, emphasizing that while the U.S. welcomes fans for the tournament, they are expected to leave once it's over . Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed preparations for visa and travel document processing, reinforcing the administration's stance on temporary stays.
Trump's involvement with the World Cup dates back to the bidding process. In 2018, he took credit for the successful joint bid by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to host the tournament, stating that he "worked hard on this, along with a Great Team of talented people" . He also tweeted support for the bid, emphasizing the strength of the North American proposal and cautioning against countries lobbying against it .
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Trump's administration continues to play a significant role in its organization, balancing the promotion of the event with the enforcement of immigration policies.