Trump Hosts First Meeting for 2026 World Cup Task Force

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump held the inaugural session of his administration’s 2026 World Cup Task Force. During the meeting, he expressed surprise that Russia wasn’t banned from the FIFA tournament, suggesting that the event seemed to fade in and out of visibility.

Trump has consistently highlighted that the 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. He remarked that the tournament is expected to “generate billions of dollars in economic activity aimed at local businesses” and create numerous jobs for American workers.

Sitting alongside Trump, FIFA President Gianni Infantino provided tangible estimates of those economic benefits, projecting that around 300,000 jobs would stem from this year’s tournament and related events next year.

Yet, concerns lingered last year about the US’s preparedness to host the 2026 tournament. In particular, there are worries about processing a substantial number of visas needed for the influx of international visitors, especially given the extended waiting times projected.

A February report from a travel industry nonprofit noted that the country wasn’t quite ready for the anticipated influx of travelers, highlighting issues like long visa wait times and outdated transit infrastructure, further complicated by reduced staffing levels since the previous administration.

During the task force meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem estimated that around two million foreign visitors would attend the tournament. Addressing her concerns, Noem assured that her department would collaborate with the State Department and the FBI to facilitate a smooth processing of travel documents. She is part of the task force, along with former US Football Federation President Carlos Cordeiro, who is now an adviser to Infantino.

Infantino expressed optimism, stating, “America will welcome the world. Everyone who has enjoyed celebrating the game can do just that.” Nonetheless, there are apprehensions stemming from the administration’s recent immigration policies, casting doubts on the warm welcome for visitors.

Vice Chairman JD Vance articulated a desire for fans to come celebrate, but reminded that when the event concludes, visitors will need to return home to avoid complications with immigration policies.

Challenges also loom for fans traveling within host cities, as the US lacks extensive public transportation options. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned that most intercity transportation problems have been addressed with buses, leaving no major long-term projects due to the tournament.

“This is a temporary influx of visitors for the football game,” Duffy noted, encouraging attendees to enjoy the World Cup while remaining compliant with visa regulations.

Trump dismissed worries that recent tensions between Mexico and Canada might hinder their ability to co-host, mentioning a conversation on the topic with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier in the day.

When asked about Russia’s ban from the FIFA competition in 2022, as a consequence of the Ukraine invasion, Trump admitted he wasn’t aware of Russia being prohibited and suggested asking Infantino for clarification.

Infantino confirmed, “They are prohibited from playing for the time being.” He expressed hope for a resolution and the possibility of Russia being re-authorized.