US President Donald Trump called a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He boasted that this tournament would be “the biggest, safest, and most extraordinary soccer event in history.” Trump projected it could bring in “tens of billions of dollars” for local businesses and create thousands of jobs.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino supported these claims, stating that past tournaments generated around $50 billion and nearly 300,000 jobs. Despite this optimism, concerns linger about the US’s ability to host the large-scale event smoothly, especially regarding visa processing. A nonprofit report warned that visa wait times could extend over a year, raising flags about the infrastructure needed to support the influx of visitors.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they expect around 2 million foreign visitors for the World Cup. She assured attendees that her team would collaborate with the State Department to ensure travel documents were processed efficiently. Still, some humor arose about potential visa overstays, especially given the administration’s tough stance on immigration.
Transportation is another hurdle. Many US cities struggle with public transport options, which could make it difficult for fans to get around. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mentioned that busses would be the primary solution, but no long-term improvements to transit systems would come from hosting the tournament.
Amid these discussions, Trump brushed off worries about recent tensions between the co-hosting countries, asserting that cooperation would remain strong. When asked about Russia’s suspension from FIFA due to the Ukraine invasion, Trump admitted he didn’t know about it. Infantino confirmed the ban but expressed hope for Russia’s eventual reinstatement.
The 2026 World Cup is not just a sporting event; it’s a chance for the US to showcase its hospitality. It will need careful planning to ensure everything goes smoothly when fans from around the world come to celebrate the beautiful game.
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