Donald Trump vows ‘seamless’ experience for 2026 World Cup fans
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US President Trump has promised football fans across the globe a seamless experience at the 2026 World Cup.
PHOTO: ERIC LEE/NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON – United States President Donald Trump said on May 6 that all fans from across the globe would be welcome at the 2026 World Cup, despite concerns over his border crackdown impacting the tournament.
The 78-year-old, who has appointed himself chairman of the White House task force for the tournament, said visitors to America could expect a “seamless” experience.
The US is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with neighbouring Canada and Mexico.
“We can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe,” Mr Trump said at a White House briefing alongside Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
“Every part of the US government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those travelling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.”
Foreign traveller arrivals to the US are expected to decline by 5.1 per cent in 2025, according to one recent study by Tourism Economics.
The World Tourism Forum Institute has said a mix of stringent US immigration policies and global political tensions could “significantly affect” international arrivals.
Vice-President J.D. Vance, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force, said while foreign visitors would be welcome, they would have to leave at the end of the tournament.
“I know we’ll have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game,” he said at the briefing on May 6. “But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home.”
Infantino, the president of football’s world governing body, said his organisation had “full and entire” confidence in the Trump administration to help deliver a successful tournament, which will have 48 teams and 104 games.
“The entire world will focus on the United States of America, and America welcomes the world,” he told the meeting.
“Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said US officials were using the Fifa Club World Cup in June as a testing ground for the World Cup, stating that the US expected two million overseas visitors.
“We’re processing those travel documents and visa applications already... that is obviously going to be a precursor to what we can do next year for the World Cup as well,” she said.
“It is all being facilitated.”
Mr Trump meanwhile said he was confident of working closely with Canada and Mexico despite his broiling trade disputes with the two World Cup co-hosts.
“I don’t see any tension either,” he said, shortly after meeting Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. “We get along very well with both.”
Meanwhile, Mr Trump said he was appointing Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, as the director of a presidential task force helping with preparations for the World Cup.
The task force, established by the President in March, was created to coordinate departments and agencies across the federal government to assist in the organisation and execution of both the World Cup and the Club World Cup.
In Mr Trump’s first term, the younger Giuliani – a former professional golfer who regularly plays with the President – helped to arrange the visits of sports teams to the White House. Mr Trump has also appointed him to the US Holocaust Memorial Council. AFP, BLOOMBERG
