Unexpected Leadership Choice for 2026 FIFA World Cup Task Force Revealed

President Trump has appointed Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to lead the White House task force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing experienced sports management to the international spotlight.

Key Takeaways

Andrew Giuliani will serve as Executive Director of the White House task force overseeing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The U.S. will host 78 of the 104 World Cup matches across 11 American cities, with the championship game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Carlos Cordeiro, former President of the US Soccer Federation who helped secure the World Cup bid, will serve as Senior Advisor to the task force.
The tournament is expected to generate significant economic impact with host cities potentially seeing up to 450,000 visitors and $480 million in local revenue.
Key administration officials including Vice President JD Vance and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are part of the task force to ensure security and smooth operations.

Giuliani’s Appointment and Task Force Formation

President Trump announced Andrew Giuliani’s appointment as Executive Director of the President’s Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a group established in March to coordinate government preparations for both the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Giuliani brings relevant experience, having previously served as a special assistant to President Trump during his first administration. He was notably involved in creating protocols that allowed international athletes to enter the United States during the 2020 pandemic reopening.

The task force held its first meeting at the White House, bringing together Vice President JD Vance, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Cabinet officials, and soccer administrators. Carlos Cordeiro, former President of the US Soccer Federation who played a key role in securing the World Cup bid for North America, will serve as Senior Advisor. The group will coordinate across multiple government agencies to address the complex logistics, security, and hospitality requirements of hosting the world’s largest sporting event.

Thank you President Trump, I am honored to serve as the Executive Director for the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Led by President Trump in his first term, America secured the bid to host the 2026 World Cup and it will be an incredible opportunity to unite the… pic.twitter.com/4COm8OAGUb

— Andrew H. Giuliani (@AndrewHGiuliani) May 6, 2025

Tournament Scale and Economic Impact

The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents an unprecedented event in scale and complexity, spanning three North American countries. The United States will host the lion’s share with 78 of the 104 matches scheduled across 11 American cities including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the championship match set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Host cities are preparing for a tourism and economic boom, with projections suggesting each location could welcome up to 450,000 visitors and generate economic impacts approaching $480 million. The tournament will drive infrastructure development, create thousands of jobs, and boost local businesses across the hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors. Prior to the World Cup, the U.S. will also host the FIFA Club World Cup from June 14 to July 13, 2025, with matches in twelve American cities serving as a practical test run for the main event.

Security and International Cooperation

The task force brings together key departments of the federal government to address the multifaceted challenges of hosting an international tournament of this magnitude. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have committed their departments to ensuring the safety and security of the event. Their involvement underscores the administration’s focus on providing a secure environment for both domestic and international spectators while facilitating smooth entry and travel for visitors from around the world.

During the task force’s inaugural meeting, President Trump emphasized the importance of presenting America’s best face to the world. Vice President Vance highlighted the non-political nature of the event, noting it represents an opportunity to showcase American hospitality regardless of political affiliations. The coordination between FIFA, U.S. Soccer, and government agencies aims to create a seamless experience for visitors and participants while demonstrating the nation’s capability to host large-scale international events.