Trump leads White House task force preparing for historic 2026 FIFA World Cup

Tuesday 18 November 2025 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump leads White House task force preparing for historic 2026 FIFA World Cup

President Trump convened the White House FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force to oversee final preparations for what will be the largest World Cup ever held. The task force, established by executive order earlier this year, is coordinating security, infrastructure, visa access, and tourism efforts across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the three host nations set to stage the tournament. The meeting took place in the Oval Office as the December 5 World Cup Draw approaches, where 48 qualified teams will be placed into 12 groups for the initial competition phase.

The Department of Homeland Security has allocated $625 million to ensure security readiness across 11 U.S. host cities. This funding supports enhanced venue protections, staff screenings, emergency response training, and increased first responders at stadiums and nearby accommodations. The FBI is spearheading a Joint Operations Center to synchronize efforts between federal, state, and local agencies. City officials highlighted the significant demands on cities like Dallas, which will host nine matches, emphasizing the logistical scale involved.

The 2026 World Cup will span June 11 to July 19, with 104 matches across 16 cities in North America. This tournament marks a historic expansion to 48 teams, with all six continental football confederations guaranteed representation for the first time. The recently concluded qualification rounds saw strong contenders like Portugal and Norway secure their places, with Norway returning to the World Cup after a 27-year absence. The final match is slated for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, underscoring the United States' pivotal role in hosting the event.

This task force and its coordinated federal efforts reflect the unprecedented scale and complexity of hosting the world's largest football tournament, promising an event with heightened security and seamless organization to welcome millions of fans globally.