President Donald Trump on Friday brushed off concerns that ongoing trade tensions between the US, Mexico, and Canada could affect the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead, he claimed the disputes would make the tournament “more exciting.”
“Tension is a good thing … it makes it much more exciting,” Trump told reporters at the White House, where he met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to announce the creation of a World Cup task force.
Trump signed an executive order establishing the White House task force, which he will chair, to handle security and logistical preparations. “We’re going to make sure everything runs smoothly,” he said.

Infantino, said the 2026 World Cup, along with this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, would generate 200,000 jobs and have a $40 billion economic impact. “And more than that, we will give joy and happiness to the entire world, and this is priceless, definitely,” he added. “So thank you, Mr President, for setting up this task force, because it is important that everyone that comes to America feels safe, feels welcome, and that’s why it’s important that the government puts together this White House Task Force.”
Despite Trump’s optimism, his trade policies have strained relations with the US’s World Cup co-hosts. He has repeatedly threatened tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, unsettling markets. His past remarks about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican leaders have also added to tensions.
The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history, with 48 teams playing 104 matches across three nations. The US will host 78 of those matches, while Mexico and Canada will host 13 each. The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.