Speaking in the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump said the task force, which he will chair, would co-ordinate with federal agencies in planning, organising and executing the 48-team global soccer tournament.

President Donald Trump had FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the White House to announce a World Cup Task Force ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

WASHINGTON: Political and economic tensions between the United States and its 2026 World Cup co-hosts Canada and Mexico will make the tournament more exciting, US President Donald Trump said after signing an executive order to create a task force for the event.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that trade tensions with Mexico and Canada would be a boost for the 2026 World Cup

This was not the first recent airing of grievances from Canadian fans at a sporting event. Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs against Canada and repeated calls for Canada to become the 51st state, fans at a Toronto Raptors game and Ottawa Senators game booed the American national anthem.

President Donald Trump’s desultory trade war with Canada and Mexico could make things politically awkward when the three countries co-host the FIFA World Cup next year.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino discusses growing soccer in America with the FIFA Club World Cup and previews the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 'Fox & Friends.'

The US president announced the creation of a White House task force to help organise the tournament yesterday.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration imposed across-the-board 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.