Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York mayor, officially named to lead White House's FIFA World Cup task force

U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Andrew Giuliani as executive director of the 2026 World Cup task force, with the goal of ensuring fans traveling to North America to watch the competition will have a seamless and safe experience.

"Together this group will help plan the biggest, safest, and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history," Trump said Tuesday at a task force meeting that included FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, previously served in Trump’s first administration as a special assistant to the president.

Trump, who will chair the task force, also named FIFA senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro as a task force senior advisor. The appointments - and statements from both Trump and Infantino - are intended to underscore confidence in the 2026 tournament, to be held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Preparations for both the 2025 Club World Cup and the World Cup in 2026 continue to be at forefront for host cities and both local and federal officials. Infantino said the two events would bring nearly $50 billion in economic output to the U.S., and 300,000 jobs.

Vice President JD Vance, who is vice chair for the Task Force, emphasized that fans traveling to the World Cup will have an enjoyable experience, but also issued a cautionary statement to those who want to extend their stay after it.

"Of course, everybody is welcome to come and see this incredible event, I know we'll have visitors from close to 100 countries," he said. "We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game, but when the time is up, they'll have to go home, otherwise, they'll have to talk to [Homeland Security] Secretary [Kristi] Noem."

The Club World Cup opens next month, as Inter Miami are set to host Al-Ahly FC on June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium.