WASHINGTON– The White House said Wednesday that the United States is fully prepared to host what is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, promising a secure, welcoming, and unforgettable FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 for millions of fans traveling from around the world.
Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the World Cup, told international reporters that President Donald Trump has issued a clear directive: ensure the country delivers a safe, smooth, and world-class tournament. Giuliani described the preparations as “the largest whole-of-government sporting event operation ever undertaken in the United States.”
Calling the 2026 World Cup a moment of “tremendous privilege,” Giuliani noted that the event coincides with the United States’ 250th Independence anniversary, with one match scheduled in Philadelphia on July 4. “It gives us a chance to show the very best of America — our hospitality and our innovation — while also showcasing the American spirit of which we’re so proud,” he said.
He emphasized the scale of the tournament, which will feature 48 national teams, 104 matches, 49 team base camps, and millions of international visitors. He said the economic impact will ripple across tourism, infrastructure, hospitality, and local businesses in the 11 U.S. host cities, calling the World Cup “a global moment for unity.”
Giuliani said the White House Task Force has made major progress coordinating security, transportation, intelligence, travel systems, and hospitality. Officials expect between 5 and 7 million international visitors, and federal coordination teams have been deployed across all host cities to streamline planning and ensure a consistent national response.
A central focus, he said, is safety. “Our commitment is simple: We will do everything in our power to make these games and this tremendous World Cup a safe, successful one,” he said. “Security and hospitality can and will coexist.”
More than USD 1 billion in federal funding is being directed toward security measures, including $625 million through the FIFA World Cup Grant Program for law enforcement and emergency services and $500 million to counter unlawful drone activity. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are establishing an international police coordination center, while the National Weather Service is deploying new heat-risk forecasting systems.
The U.S. is also upgrading its travel processing systems to manage the unprecedented influx of visitors, adding modernized airport screening lanes, eGate identity verification, simplified international connections, and expanded coordination with airlines, Amtrak, rideshare companies, and local transit networks.
A major goal has been lowering visa wait times for countries likely to send large numbers of fans. Giuliani said more than 450 additional staff have been deployed to U.S. consulates worldwide, enabling over 80 percent of countries to obtain visa appointments within 60 days. The U.S. has already issued more than 300,000 additional visas, with totals expected to reach the millions early next year.
Pressed about immigration policies, Giuliani said the administration remains firm on security vetting but committed to welcoming international fans. “Every visa decision is also a national security decision,” he said. For countries under travel restrictions, he noted that exemptions exist for World Cup teams, support staff, and immediate family members.
Asked about possible enforcement actions during the tournament, he said, “The President does not rule out anything that will help make American citizens safer,” but insisted that legally entering fans will have “an unbelievable experience here.”
Security perimeters around stadiums are being redesigned on a Super Bowl-style model, with multiple ticket checks and designated fan zones for spectators without tickets. Giuliani said the 2026 event will be vastly different from the 1994 World Cup because of its size, security needs, and three-country hosting format shared with Canada and Mexico. The tournament draw will take place on December 5.
The United States last hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994, a tournament widely credited with igniting long-term interest in soccer across the country. (Source: IANS)
