Trump Launches the World Cup Task Force: 'The Biggest, Safest, and Most Extraordinary Soccer Tournament in History' (May 6, 2025)

President Donald Trump opened the first meeting of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a promise. “Together, this group will help plan the biggest, safest, and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history,” Trump said in the East Room on May 6, 2025, according to the transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

“In my first term, I negotiated the return of the World Cup to America. And now, in my second term, I’ll have the honor of hosting the World Cup for the first time of any President in more than 30 years,” he said [1].

The video above shows Trump with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House on May 6, 2025. Quotes are from the American Presidency Project and NBC Los Angeles [1][2][3][4].

“48 National Teams”

“And next summer, we’ll host the official 2026 World Cup tournament, where 48 national teams will compete in 78 matches right here in the USA,” Trump said [1].

“These events will also generate tens of billions of dollars in economic activity for local businesses and create thousands and thousands of jobs for American workers,” he said [1].

He expected a huge audience. “And over 1 billion viewers,” Trump said [1].

“Seventy-eight games will take place over the World Cup in the United States out of the 104 games,” Infantino said [1].

“One hundred and four games, Mr. President—104 Super Bowls in one month,” Infantino said. “The final alone will attract between 2 and 3 billion viewers.” [1]

“FIFA is an official provider of happiness to humanity,” he said [1].

”A Little Tall for Soccer”

Trump talked about his youngest son. “I have a son that loves soccer: Barron,” he said. “He’s a good soccer player too. He’s a little tall for soccer, but that’s okay.” [1]

Infantino settled the name debate with a joke. “So we—basically, everyone outside of this beautiful country, we call football a game we play with our feet,” he said. “You, in this beautiful country, you call football a game you play with your hands. Right?” [1]

Trump introduced the task force’s executive director. “And our Executive Director, Andrew Giuliani. Just got the post, and he’s going to be great,” he said [1].

He praised Giuliani’s “great father, who was the greatest mayor in the history of New York.” [1]

He also pointed to the Club World Cup trophy. “And Tiffany made the beautiful trophy,” Trump said [1].

”They’ll Have to Go Home”

Vice President JD Vance, the task force’s vice chair, joked about the Ohio State trophy. “First of all, the last time the President had me around a national or international sports trophy was the College Football Playoff National Championship, and I almost broke it,” he said, to laughter [1].

He had a message for visitors: “We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game. But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home. Otherwise, they’ll have to talk to Secretary Noem,” Vance said, to laughter [1].

“We will welcome over 2 million visitors that will come here from other countries. We will have 10 million different tickets,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said [1].

“You know that great events don’t happen unless you have great planning,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Trump [1].

”Safe and Successful”

“The State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and every part of the U.S. Government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful,” Trump said [1].

“This summer, by hosting the club championships, we’re processing those travel documents and visa applications already,” Noem said [1].

“These events, if properly done, make a tremendous amount of money and prestige,” Trump said. “But we’re going to not—we won’t hold back at all on security, most importantly.” [1]

“Blow Them All Away”

“Together, we will ensure that the 2026 World Cup will be the best run soccer tournament the world has ever seen,” Trump said [1].

“This is going to blow them all away. I don’t want to insult my other friends from other countries, but we’re going to blow them away, right?” he said [1].

Infantino previewed the warm-up tournament that summer. “So, in 40 days, less than—a bit less than 40 days, on the 14th of June in Miami, we will open the FIFA Club World Cup,” he said [1].

”I Just Hope It Ends Very Quickly”

Later that day, as he swore in Steve Witkoff as special envoy to the Middle East, Trump was asked about the strikes between India and Pakistan. “No, it’s a shame. We just heard about it just as we were walking in the doors of the Oval,” he said [3].

“They’ve been fighting for a long time. You know, they’ve been fighting for many, many decades,” Trump said. “No, I just hope it ends very quickly.” [3]

By the Numbers

48: national teams in the 2026 World Cup, per Trump [1].
78 of 104: matches played in the United States, per Infantino [1].
1 billion+: expected viewers, per Trump [1].
30+ years: since the U.S. last hosted the World Cup, per Trump [1].

What Happened Next

India and Pakistan stood down. Four days later, Trump announced a ceasefire. “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE,” he posted on May 10, 2025 [4].

Spain won it all in New Jersey. “Spain took down reigning champion Argentina and Lionel Messi 1-0 in the 2026 final in New York/New Jersey on Sunday,” NBC Los Angeles reported on July 19, 2026 [2].

“Ferran Torres scored the winning goal all the way in the 106th minute, as Spain capitalized on Argentina being down to 10 men following Enzo Fernandez’s late second yellow card,” the outlet reported [2].

“Spain now has two in two, its last win coming in the 2010 final,” NBC Los Angeles reported [2].

For Trump and the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, see HYGO News’ page on April 14, 2025. For Trump and the champion Florida Gators, see the page on May 21, 2025.