President Donald Trump, along with members of the White House Task Force, convened for their inaugural meeting regarding the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.
The meeting took place in the East Room, where Trump, cabinet members, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino gathered to discuss the upcoming tournament, which has been in the planning stages for over a year across the US, Mexico, and Canada.
“This group will collaborate to organize the most remarkable, safest football tournament in history,” Trump stated.
While highlighting the global appeal of the event, he mentioned that his son, Baron, is a fan of football.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to present the beauty and greatness of America. We eagerly await the arrival of soccer fans globally,” he added.
In addition to the 2026 World Cup, the US will also host the inaugural 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, exclusively in this country. Infantino left a golden trophy in the Oval Office with Trump after signing the executive order to form the task force in March.
The first match is slated to occur in Miami next month.
“These two World Cups are projected to generate about $50 billion in economic output in the US, creating around 300,000 jobs,” Infantino noted.
Vice President JD Vance, who serves as the task force’s vice-chairman, made a brief and lighthearted remark during the meeting.
“The last time I was near a national or international sports trophy with the president was during the College Football Playoff National Championship, and I lost,” Vance quipped. “I appreciate the President giving me another chance here.”
On a more serious note, he emphasized that the World Cup will showcase “the best of America along with extraordinary athletic competition and hospitality.”
