President Trump established a FIFA 2026 World Cup task force in a Friday executive order, describing the event as an opportunity to “showcase the Nation’s pride and hospitality while promoting economic growth and tourism through sport.”
The sporting event will feature 104 matches played across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, who were named as co-host countries.
This will be the first World Cup in more than two decades to take place in multiple nations and comes as all three countries are entangled in a tariff war, which Trump said on Friday will boost engagement.
“Tension is a good thing,” the president told reporters Friday in the Oval Office. “It makes it much more exciting.”
He later said he hopes to attend some of the games.
The president will serve as the chair of the task force alongside Vice President Vance, who will serve as vice chair. The Secretary of State, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Homeland Security will also be part of the committee.
Trump will appoint an executive director to oversee day to day operations.
While the economic tensions between the three countries persist, the 2026 World Cup will create approximately 40,000 jobs, per the White House. Host cities are expected to welcome 450,000 visitors while earning a potential net economic impact of up to $480 million.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the signing ceremony on Friday where he said the U.S. had a chance to win the highly coveted competition and showcased the trophy for the 2025 Club World Cup.
Infantino announced for the first time in history, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a halftime show.
“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen,” Infantino said in a Wednesday Instagram post.
The band Coldplay will help pick the list of performing artists according to his statement.
“This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino added.
New York City will be home to the final match which will conclude with a celebration in Times Square.
“We also spoke about how FIFA will takeover Times Square for the final weekend of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, during both the bronze final match and final,” Infantino said.
“These will be two incredible matches, featuring some of the best players in the world, and what better way to celebrate them than in the historic Times Square in New York City.”
