President Donald Trump is going big for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—and he’s putting someone close to him in charge of getting it done right.
This week, Trump announced the appointment of Andrew Giuliani as Executive Director of the President’s Task Force for the 2026 World Cup, a role that puts him at the helm of one of the largest global sporting events in history.
Giuliani isn’t doing it alone.
Former U.S. Soccer President and current FIFA Senior Advisor Carlos Cordeiro will serve as the task force’s Senior Advisor, bringing deep experience in international soccer governance to balance Giuliani’s White House background.
The goal?
To host the biggest, safest, and most patriotic World Cup ever—just in time for America’s 250th birthday.
.@POTUS on the FIFA World Cup 2026: “Together, this group will help plan the biggest, safest and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history… I’ll have the honor of hosting the World Cup for the first time of any president in more than 30 years.” pic.twitter.com/69fDlpLnyd
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 6, 2025
From the West Wing to the World Cup
Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, served as a Special Assistant to the President during Trump’s first term.
He helped coordinate sports-related events at the White House and was instrumental in reopening U.S. borders to international athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
That experience now comes full circle as Giuliani steps into a more prominent role ahead of a massive international tournament.
While Giuliani doesn’t have a deep background in soccer, he knows logistics, politics, and how to move things inside the federal government—skills that will come in handy with an event spread across 16 cities and three countries.
The Expert in the Room: Carlos Cordeiro
To balance out Giuliani’s political chops, the task force includes Carlos Cordeiro, a name well-known in soccer circles.
Cordeiro played a major role in the United 2026 bid that brought the World Cup to North America, beating out Morocco in a landslide FIFA vote back in 2018.
As a former U.S. Soccer Federation president and current senior advisor to FIFA’s president, he knows exactly what’s expected from FIFA and how to navigate international soccer politics.
His experience will be vital when it comes to working with Canada, Mexico, and FIFA to meet global standards while promoting U.S. interests.
What’s at Stake?
This World Cup will be the biggest ever—48 teams, 104 matches, and an expected global audience of over 5 billion viewers.
It’s the first World Cup hosted by the U.S. since 1994 and the first tri-nation event since 2002.
It’s also happening during America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, giving it extra symbolic weight.
The White House sees the World Cup as more than a sports tournament—it’s a chance to show the world what American freedom, security, and hospitality look like on a global stage.
Challenges Ahead
Hosting a World Cup across three countries is going to be complicated.
The U.S. may have the stadiums, but infrastructure, security, transportation, and immigration will all need to be coordinated across federal, state, and local agencies.
Despite the noise, the World Cup is expected to deliver big for the U.S. economy—tens of billions in revenue and more than 185,000 jobs.
Cities that host matches will see boosts in tourism, hospitality, and business visibility.
Major venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are already prepping for the spotlight.
And don’t forget: the U.S. will also host the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a smaller but significant trial run for the main event the following year.
Final Thoughts
Giuliani and Cordeiro may come from different backgrounds—one from the West Wing, the other from the world of FIFA—but together, they’re tasked with managing one of the most ambitious international sporting events ever staged.
With America’s 250th birthday right around the corner, this isn’t just about soccer.
It’s about legacy, leadership, and showing the world what the U.S. is still capable of when it puts its mind to something big.
Game on.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
