On May 6, 2025, President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his administration’s 2026 World Cup taskforce, where he reassured the public that the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, would go off without a hitch. Trump hailed the event as the “biggest, safest, and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history,” while also claiming it would bring massive economic benefits. According to the President, the World Cup would generate “tens of billions of dollars in economic activities for local businesses” and create “thousands and thousands of jobs for American workers.”
Gianni Infantino, the President of FIFA, joined Trump at the event and further quantified the potential economic impact. Infantino projected that the 2026 World Cup and the upcoming tournament would collectively result in $50 billion in economic output and nearly 300,000 jobs. However, doubts about the United States’ readiness to host the event have persisted, particularly regarding the country’s ability to process the large volume of visas required for foreign visitors.
The U.S. government is expected to handle visas for millions of fans coming from around the world. The current processing times for some visitors can extend up to a year, leading to concerns over the ability to meet the needs of attendees. A February report from a travel industry non-profit criticized the government’s preparation for the upcoming mega-events, citing not only lengthy visa processing times but also an outdated infrastructure and security systems. These issues have only been exacerbated by recent budget cuts under the Trump administration.
In the taskforce meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged that around 2 million foreign visitors are expected to travel to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup. Noem assured the public that her department, in collaboration with the Department of State and the FBI, would work diligently to process travel documents, and she insisted that the process would go smoothly. Infantino, speaking beside Noem, emphasized that everyone who wanted to visit the U.S. to celebrate the game would be able to do so.
Nevertheless, during the meeting, Vice President JD Vance made light of the possibility that some visitors might overstay their visas. Aware of the administration’s crackdown on immigration, Vance jokingly remarked that if visitors didn’t leave after their allotted time, they would “have to talk to Secretary Noem.” The event was marked by a mix of optimism about the event’s potential and the administration’s desire to ensure that the influx of visitors would not overstretch the system.
Transport-related concerns were also discussed. Many U.S. cities lack well-developed public transportation, which could pose difficulties for World Cup attendees trying to travel between cities. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy addressed these concerns by suggesting that buses would serve as the primary mode of inter-city transport. He clarified that there would be no lasting improvements to transit infrastructure resulting from the World Cup, as the event would only be a temporary influx of people. Duffy further advised visitors to use the occasion as an opportunity to explore the U.S. by road but cautioned that they should “not overstay their visa.”
Trump also took the opportunity to downplay any potential impact of recent tensions with Canada and Mexico on the co-hosting arrangement, reaffirming that he had discussed the World Cup with newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his visit to the White House earlier in the day.
The issue of Russia’s exclusion from FIFA competitions also came up during the meeting. When asked about Russia’s ban, Trump appeared unaware of the situation and asked Infantino for clarification. Infantino confirmed that Russia had been banned from FIFA competitions due to their invasion of Ukraine in 2022, although he expressed hope that peace would prevail, allowing Russia to eventually return to international football.
Despite the ongoing challenges, the taskforce meeting underscored the administration’s firm belief that the 2026 World Cup would be a success, drawing massive economic benefits while navigating logistical hurdles with the help of various government departments.
