The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which spanned across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has been lauded as a historic success, with former White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup executive director Andrew Giuliani attributing much of its achievement to the vision and efforts of the Trump administration. FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly acknowledged the Trump administration's contribution to the event during a FIFA reception at Trump Tower.
Giuliani stated that President Donald Trump's objective extended beyond just soccer, aiming to unite the country, welcome international visitors, and showcase American capabilities as the nation approached its 250th anniversary. Trump established the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup early in his term, signaling a comprehensive governmental approach to hosting the event.
The tournament saw over 6.5 million fans attend matches across the 16 host cities in the three North American nations, nearly doubling the previous attendance record. The United States alone hosted matches in 11 cities, with stadiums operating at 99.7% capacity. FIFA Fan Festivals attracted an additional 7.7 million visitors. Fans from over 150 countries experienced what Giuliani described as "American hospitality," and the tournament garnered more than 20 billion video views globally.
Giuliani emphasized the focus on safety and security, noting the deployment of federal coordination teams, $625 million in funding for local law enforcement, and an investment of $500 million in counter-drone technology. The administration worked with state and local officials, establishing a real-time information-sharing system.
The economic impact was also highlighted, with reports of significant increases in sales for local businesses in host cities like Seattle, and Philadelphia projected to see $770 million in economic benefits. Giuliani asserted that the infrastructure and partnerships developed for the World Cup would benefit future large-scale events hosted by the U.S.
According to Giuliani, the success of the World Cup under Trump's impetus demonstrates America's capacity to host major global events with "unmatched hospitality, world-class venues, unwavering security, and the confidence that has always defined this nation at its best."