by Stefano Vaccara
WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Two days after the group draw and a little more than six months after the start of the World Cup 2026, the Trump administration reaffirmed the “historical” scope of the World Cup that the United States will host together with Canada and Mexico. In a briefing with the international press at the Washington Foreign Press Center, Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force on the World, outlined the state of preparations, insisting on two priorities: total safety and welcome for the millions of visitors expected, provided through legal channels. Giuliani has defined the event “the largest sporting event ever organized in the United States”, recalling that 104 matches will be played in 11 American cities, with an estimated economic impact of billions of dollars for tourism, infrastructure and local activities. The event will also coincide with the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence, on 4 July 2026. The Task Force manager underlined the deployment of the widest security apparatus ever put in place for a sports event in the USA.
The federal package exceeds $1 billion, including: 625 million for training, cybersecurity, response to emergencies and support for local law enforcement; 500 million for programmes against illicit use of drones; a new International Police Coordination Center, in collaboration with Fbi, Dhs and policies of the participating countries. Giuliani also confirmed that all stadiums will have “Super Bowl style” security perimeters, with multiple controls to prevent violations similar to those seen in the Copa América 2024 final in the US. A consistent part of the briefing was dedicated to international entry procedures. Giuliani showed data that waiting times for visas would go down “ drastically” compared to the previous administration: over 80% of countries can now get an appointment within 60 days; in nations such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Turkey and Morocco, expectations would have gone from 10-16 months to 1-2 months; the State Department has mobilized 450 additional officials and created 300,000 additional slots for 2025.
A new Fifa Priority Appointment System has also been confirmed, which from 2026 will allow ticket holders to quickly access consular appointments (remaining the normal vetting process). Giuliani answered a number of questions from journalists on the risk of discrimination and on the limits to entry for restricted countries, clarifying that: Haiti and Iran teams are exempt from the administration travel ban: “Every visa decision is a national security judgment.” Who is in the U.S. without documents “can take advantage of the procedures provided to leave the country and return legally”; to the question whether the White House can exclude Ice retate during the matches, Giuliani replied that the president “does not exclude anything that can serve to protect American citizens”, without providing guarantees. On the forecasts of visitors, Giuliani confirmed an estimate between 5 and 7 million, higher than the most prudent calculations of some economists. Transport will be a challenge: the Dot is working with airlines, Amtrak, local networks and rideshare to manage new volumes, especially in areas of New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles and Dallas. The briefing ended with this message: “We want a safe and welcoming World Championship. Whoever comes legally will be welcome.” The countdown to the draw of 5 December enters the final stage.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
