With the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup barely 15 months away, the United States President Donald Trump has announced the setting up of a White House task force to monitor the preparations for the world’s most popular sporting tournament.

The decision of the US President has been welcomed by the United States Travel Association, the travel industry’s leading association. The World Cup will be held between June 11 and July 19, 2026.

The US had last hosted the Football World Cup in 1994. In 2026, World Cup matches will be held in several cities across the US, namely Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City (New Jersey), Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.

In a press statement, USTA welcomed the decision by Trump and said that this “critical action” will ensure a seamless and secure experience for the potential 8 million visitors for both the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. The task force, chaired by the President, will coordinate with federal agencies to prepare for these major events, positioning the US to welcome the world.

Geoff Freeman

“The creation of this task force was a top priority for US Travel and will ensure the US is fully prepared to host the world’s largest sporting event,” says Geoff Freeman, President and CEO, US Travel Association.

“We are grateful for the administration’s leadership in bringing together the necessary resources to support the massive influx of travellers, and we are confident this will lay the foundation for a truly transformative mega-decade of events. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on both the travel industry and the nation as a whole,” Freeman adds.

Recently, the USTA had issued a report detailing the need for major reforms in view of the upcoming mega events set to be hosted in the United States, such as the Football World Cup, as well as the 2028 Olympics.