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- Vice President JD Vance, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force, said while foreign visitors would be welcome they would have to leave at the end of the tournament
- Infantino, the president of football鈥檚 world governing body, said his organization had 鈥渇ull and entire鈥� confidence in the Trump administration to help deliver a successful tournament
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that all fans from across the globe would be welcome at the 2026 World Cup despite concerns over his border crackdown impacting the tournament.
Trump, who has appointed himself chairman of the White House task force for the tournament, said visitors to the US could expect a 鈥渟eamless鈥� experience.
The US is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with neighboring Canada and Mexico.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe,鈥� Trump said at a White House briefing alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
鈥淓very part of the US government will be working to ensure that these events are safe and successful, and those traveling to America to watch the competition have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.鈥�
Foreign traveler arrivals in the US are expected to decline by 5.1 percent in 2025, according to one recent study by Tourism Economics.
The World Tourism Forum Institute has said a mix of stringent US immigration policies and global political tensions could 鈥渟ignificantly affect鈥� international arrivals.
Vice President JD Vance, the vice-chair of the World Cup task force, said while foreign visitors would be welcome they would have to leave at the end of the tournament.
鈥淚 know we鈥檒l have visitors, probably from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game,鈥� Vance told Tuesday鈥檚 briefing. 鈥淏ut when the time is up, they鈥檒l have to go home.鈥�
Infantino, the president of football鈥檚 world governing body, said his organization had 鈥渇ull and entire鈥� confidence in the Trump administration to help deliver a successful tournament.
鈥淭he entire world will focus on the United States of America, and America welcomes the world,鈥� Infantino told the meeting. 鈥淓veryone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said US officials were using next month鈥檚 FIFA Club World Cup as a testing ground for the World Cup, stating that the US expected 2 million overseas visitors.
鈥淲e鈥檙e processing those travel documents and visa applications already ... that is obviously going to be a precursor to what we can do next year for the World Cup as well,鈥� Noem said. 鈥淚t is all being facilitated.鈥�
Trump, meanwhile, said he was confident of working closely with Canada and Mexico despite his broiling trade disputes with the two World Cup co-hosts.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 see any tension either,鈥� Trump said, shortly after meeting Canada鈥檚 Prime Minister Mark Carney. 鈥淲e get along very well with both.鈥�