When President Donald Trump set his sights on bringing the FIFA World Cup back to the United States in 2018, he wasnt just thinking about soccer. He was thinking about legacyâabout uniting a country, welcoming the world, and showing what American excellence looks like as we celebrate our nations 250th birthday.
I remember the moment he gave me my main mission: “Make it the best tournament ever.” Simple, but not easy. With President Trump, nothing is ever done halfway. Early in his second term, he established the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making clear this would be a whole-of-government effort. We set out to deliver not only the largest and safest World Cup, but also the most welcoming and memorable tournament in history for fans, athletes, and communities across America.
Looking back, I know only President Trump could have pulled this off. No other leader could have set such an ambitious vision and inspired a nation to rise to the challenge. His lifelong experience in hospitality and his attention to detail set the standard for excellence and made this World Cup unforgettable.
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More than 6.5 million fans attended matches across 16 host cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, nearly doubling the previous attendance record. There were 11 host cities in the United States alone. During this World Cup, stadiums were filled to 99.7% capacity, while FIFA Fan Festivals welcomed another 7.7 million visitors. Fans from more than 150 countries experienced American hospitality firsthand, and the tournament generated more than 20 billion video views worldwide.
Yet the numbers tell only part of the story. The real success was measured in packed downtowns, thriving small businesses, friendships formed across cultures, and unforgettable moments shared by millions.
President Trumps focus on safety and security paid off. We deployed federal coordination teams, supported local law enforcement with $625 million in funding, and invested another $500 million in counter-drone technology. We worked closely with state and local officials, trained together, and built a real-time information-sharing system that will benefit our country long after the final whistle.
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The results speak for themselves: no major security incidents, a record-breaking economic impact, and a seamless experience for fans and athletes. From Seattles Pioneer Square, where local businesses saw sales rise to as much as 10 times their average, to Philadelphias $770 million in projected economic impact, the benefits will last for years to come.
