President Donald Trump kick started preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.
The United States is set to co-host the soccer showstopper along with Canada and Mexico – two nations Trump has threatened with a trade war – next summer.
And in preparation for the international tournament arriving stateside, the President signed an executive order Friday establishing a White House Task Force for the event.
The 78-year-old has, naturally, appointed himself to serve as chair with his Vice President, JD Vance, set to serve as vice chair, a White House official said via Fox News.
The task force’s aim will be to oversee preparations for the World Cup, which is the first held in multiple countries in more than two decades.
The committee will be comprised of Trump’s cabinet along with key government officials. It will also reportedly work with federal agencies in planning, organizing, and executing the World Cup.
President Donald Trump is set to kick start preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday
The World Cup will begin in June 2026, spanning across the continent, with 48 teams playing 104 matches in 16 different host cities.
Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, and New Jersey have been selected to host games in the United States.
Meanwhile, MetLife Stadium has been given the honor of hosting the final on July 19, 2026. Trump, as president, is likely to accept the honor of presenting the World Cup trophy to the winners of the competition.
The first and only time the United States has hosted a World Cup, back in 1994, saw then-president Bill Clinton choose not to attend the final between Brazil and Italy in California.
Instead, vice president Al Gore had the honor of presenting Brazilian captain Dunga with the trophy at the Rose Bowl.
Trump’s involvement in the preparations for the tournament comes as no surprise due to his seemingly close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Infantino attended Trump’s inauguration celebrations in January when the FIFA President was in the United States for the launch of the Club World Cup trophy tour.
The night before taking oath, Trump held a victory rally in front of his adoring fans, and Infantino was in attendance to take in the scenes in the US capital.
Gianni Infantino gives a thumbs-up as he attends Donald Trump’s victory rally in Washington
Trump will have the honor of presenting the trophy to the winners if he chooses
Furthermore, Infantino and the World Cup got a special mention from Trump, much to the delight of the FIFA president.
‘What an incredible honor, (and) what an incredible privilege at the victory rally,’ Infantino said on Instagram. ‘President Donald J. Trump, in his speech, mentioned FIFA, mentioned myself, thanking us, looking forward to the events we are organizing here, of course, the (FIFA) World Cup mostly.
‘Well, this is FIFA at the maximum of its respect… being mentioned by the new President of the United States of America in his victory rally, in his victory speech, is unique (and) is beautiful.
‘I would like to thank President Trump, with whom I have a great friendship, and to assure him that, together, we will make not only America great again, but also the entire world, of course, because football – or soccer – unites the world. Bye!’
Trump’s first two years in office will see the Club World Cup take place on US soil this summer, followed by the World Cup next year. Furthermore, the US will host the Summer Olympics in 2028.
