U.S. President Donald Trump presided over the first meeting of his administration’s working group for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. During the event, Trump assured that the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the “largest, safest and most extraordinary in the history of soccer.”
Trump stressed that the World Cup will generate “tens of billions of dollars in economic activity for local businesses” and “thousands and thousands of jobs for American workers.” For his part, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who was present at the meeting, specified that the tournament will produce $50 billion in economic benefits and nearly 300,000 jobs.
Concerns about US capacity
Despite the optimistic statements, doubts have been raised about the United States’ ability to host the 2026 World Cup smoothly. One of the main challenges is managing visas for the millions of foreign visitors expected. Currently, wait times for some visas can extend up to a year or more.
A report released in February by a nonprofit travel industry organization warned that “the United States is not prepared to host the next decade of massive events that will attract millions of domestic and international travelers.” The report also noted problems related to transportation infrastructure and an outdated security system.
Plans to manage the flow of international visitors
During the meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that 2 million foreign visitors are expected to arrive for the tournament. Noem assured that her department will work in conjunction with the State Department and the FBI to ensure that travel documents are processed efficiently. In addition, Carlos Cordeiro, former president of the U.S. Soccer Federation and now an advisor to Infantino, will also be involved in coordinating these efforts. Infantino, for his part, softened the matter by pointing out that “America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come to enjoy, have fun and celebrate soccer will be able to do so.”
Transportation and mobility during the World Cup
Another major challenge will be mobility within the host cities, many of which lack well-developed public transportation systems. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explained that most intercity transportation problems will be solved with buses and that no long-term infrastructure projects are planned as a result of the tournament.
Duffy encouraged visitors to take advantage of the World Cup as an opportunity to take a road trip through the United States, but cautioned, “Don’t overstay your visa.”
Relations with Russia and co-host countries.
Trump denied that recent tensions with Mexico and Canada would affect the ability of the three countries to co-host the tournament. According to the president, this issue was discussed with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his visit to the White House the same day.
As for Russia’s exclusion from FIFA competitions due to its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Trump admitted he was unaware of the ban and asked Infantino if it was true. Infantino confirmed the suspension and expressed hope that peace would allow Russia’s readmission in the future.
2026 World Cup ticket sales begin
At the same time as this working meeting, the first ticket packages for the 2026 FIFA World Cup went on sale. This first phase includes high-end hospitality packages, with prices ranging from 4,668 euros (US$5,300) to 64,498 euros (US$73,200). These offers are aimed primarily at companies, especially in the hotel sector. The sale of standard tickets for the general public is expected at a later date, with an estimated average price of 268 euros ($305) for the group stage matches.
