U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of a White House task force on Friday, March 7, to help organize the 2026 FIFA World Cup, dismissing concerns that trade tensions with Mexico and Canada, the tournament’s co-hosts, could negatively impact the event.
Speaking from the Oval Office alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump was asked how ongoing disputes between the three nations might affect the tournament.
“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” Trump responded. “Tension is a good thing … it makes it much more exciting.”
The president then signed an executive order formally establishing the 2026 World Cup task force, which he will chair. He described the event as “the largest sporting event in history.”
“We’re going to be establishing a task force, a very important task force — White House — and that’s on the FIFA World Cup of 2026, which, as you know, is a big event,” Trump said.
Infantino highlighted the tournament’s economic benefits, saying it would create 200,000 jobs and generate an estimated $40 billion in economic impact. “And more than that, we will give joy and happiness to the entire world, and this is priceless, definitely,” Infantino added.
He thanked Trump for forming the task force, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all visitors feel safe and welcome during the tournament. “That’s why it’s important that the government puts together this White House Task Force,” Infantino said.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, significantly expanding the tournament’s scale. Infantino compared it to hosting three NFL Super Bowls per day for an entire month. “That’s really amazing when you think of it,” Trump remarked. “I’ve never heard that expressed.”
Source: Linda Ikeji Blog
