President Donald Trump has appointed Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, as the executive director for the administration`s task force dedicated to the World Cup. Additionally, Carlos Cordeiro, former president of U.S. Soccer, has been named a special advisor to the group.
Giuliani previously served as a special assistant to Trump and held a position in the Office of Public Liaison during the president`s first term. Cordeiro was the president of U.S. Soccer when the hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup were awarded to the United States, Canada, and Mexico in April 2017. He stepped down from U.S. Soccer in 2020 amidst challenges, including the equal pay dispute with the women`s national team, but has since served as a senior advisor at FIFA starting in 2021.
The establishment of this task force, which President Trump will chair with Vice President J.D. Vance acting as vice chair and including several cabinet members, was initially announced via an executive order issued in March.
During a White House meeting held on Tuesday, attended by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, President Trump articulated the group`s objective: to “help plan the biggest, safest and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history.” Infantino estimated that approximately 10 million visitors are expected to travel to the U.S. for the tournament, which will feature an expanded format with 48 participating teams for the first time.
At the meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem offered assurances that the process for handling visitors` documentation and travel would be smooth. However, other officials present issued a caution regarding tourists potentially overstaying their visas. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy remarked, “If you`re coming to see some soccer… go on a road trip. See America. Don`t overstay your visa. Don`t stay too long.”
Benedict Kingsley