This guest column is by U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (16th District of Illinois) who serves as a co-chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus. Our interview with Rep. LaHood can be read HERE.
In less than 500 days, the United States will host the first match of the largest sporting event in history: the FIFA World Cup 2026. Over 39 days, 104 matches will be played, and over 10 million fans will travel across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
There is a rush of excitement, not only for the tournament but also for the fastest-growing sport in the United States—soccer. During President Trump’s first term in office, Jared Kushner and his administration were integral in securing the 2026 World Cup. Hosting this event presents the United States with the opportunity to provide momentous economic benefits and investments to communities from coast to coast.
However, a sporting event of this size will require communication and collaboration between FIFA, federal officials and federal agencies, local and state leaders, host city committees, and all levels of law enforcement to make the tournament a success.
To prepare for this historic event, President Trump recently established the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026. This task force will coordinate with federal agencies in the planning, organizing, and executing of the 2026 World Cup.
Last September 2024, I joined members of the bipartisan Congressional Soccer Caucus in sending a letter to President Biden urging the White House to establish a White House Task Force on Global Sporting Events in response to the upcoming “mega-decade of sports” taking place in the U.S. For events of this scale and with this level of attention, public safety and the security of our citizens and fans from across the globe will be paramount. The United States is expected to host over 10 million visitors across 11 separate host cities in major metropolitan areas. I believe President Trump’s decision to establish this task force and prioritize the safety and security of visitors, players, and our communities was a great first step.
As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I know firsthand the threats facing our nation across the globe. It is imperative that federal agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement, have the necessary tools and resources they need to deter any foreign terror threat or other criminal activity that may impact such a large-scale event.
In the past, the Department of Homeland Security designated major sporting events with a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR). SEAR 1 categories are for significant events with national and/or international importance that require extensive federal interagency support. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, I will continue to work with federal officials and my colleagues on the importance of providing necessary resources to help with national security during the World Cup.
As history has unfortunately shown in the past, major sporting events pose an elevated risk for terrorist attacks and require heightened precautions and public safety presence, and the 2026 World Cup is no different. Earlier this year, President Trump and FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino described the World Cup as, “three Super Bowls a day for a month.”
We must ensure that any changes to travel processes do not undermine national security and with global tensions high, our government leaders must work collectively to ensure our nation is adequately prepared to host teams, fans, and tourists safely. It is critical that federal officials look at ways to modernize travel processes, invest in necessary technology improvements, and prioritize enhancing our national security.
President Trump’s White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 will provide much-needed leadership and help streamline an unprecedented level of coordination between our federal agencies to set the country up for the best chance at a successful 2026 World Cup. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the bipartisan Congressional Soccer Caucus and the Trump administration to prepare for a safe and successful FIFA World Cup 2026.