Former N.Y. gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani expected to be appointed head of 2026 FIFA World Cup White House Task Force

Former N.Y. gubernatorial candidate Andrew Giuliani is expected to be appointed as executive director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Sports Business Journal reported Monday. U.S. President Donald Trump will serve as the chair of the task force.

Vice President J.D. Vance will serve as vice chair, and the task force will be located in the Department of Homeland Security. It will include multiple cabinet staff, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Last week FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed that travelers from around the world will be welcomed at the 2026 World Cup, saying the sport's governing body has assurances about security from the White House.

“It is very important we have the engagement of the different government agencies to make sure that security is guaranteed, that fans can travel to the U.S. and around the U.S., that transportation is working perfectly, that the world will be welcomed," Infantino told The Washington Post.

Infantino met with Trump in Washington D.C. in March and followed it up by meeting with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel last week in Miami, the Post reported. He also met with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and discussed "security and potential issues" that could arise from a high volume of visitors expected to come to the U.S. for the global tournament.

Giuliani was on the golf team at Duke, and briefly played professionally. During Trump's first term, he served as the Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of the Office of Public Liaison. The role included the arranging of sports teams' visits to the White House.

He is the son of former N.Y. Mayor and longtime Trump ally Rudy Giuliani.

Host city organizers have been encouraged by Trump’s announcement of the task force in March, with hopes the administration will support the appropriation of federal funds to assist with security and logistics.

The 2026 World Cup matches will be played in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and East Rutherford, New Jersey. Matches will be held in Mexico and Canada, as well.

The FIFA World Cup begins June 11, 2026 and runs through July 19, 2026.