In a move that is drawing both attention and scrutiny, President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as director of a White House task force overseeing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The task force, created in March 2025, is tasked with coordinating efforts among federal agencies and departments to ensure the smooth execution of the massive global tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The event is expected to attract millions of spectators and global attention, requiring large-scale logistical, security, and diplomatic planning.

Andrew Giuliani, a former professional golfer and long-time associate of the Trump White House, is no stranger to sports diplomacy. During Trump’s first term, Giuliani Jr. played an informal role in helping arrange White House visits by championship-winning teams and had built a close personal rapport with Trump, frequently golfing with the president. He has also previously been appointed by Trump to the US Holocaust Memorial Council.

This latest appointment has sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers and sports policy observers, who questioned Giuliani’s qualifications for the role, pointing out his limited background in international sports or event logistics. Critics argue that his close ties to the president, rather than experience, may have been the deciding factor.

Still, Trump defended the decision, describing Giuliani as “a great organizer who understands athletes, understands logistics, and knows what’s at stake.”

The 2026 World Cup is a massive undertaking, with games spread across cities in three North American countries. The US portion alone will see matches hosted in several major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Atlanta. The club tournament organized by FIFA this year also adds to the coordination burden, and the White House is keen to demonstrate that all agencies are working in sync.

The appointment of Carlos Cordeiro, former president of US Soccer, as senior adviser to the task force has also raised eyebrows. Cordeiro was a central figure in US Soccer’s successful World Cup bid, but his tenure ended in controversy after the federation filed legal arguments that downplayed the value of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) in a pay equity lawsuit.

The backlash led to his resignation in 2020. In 2022, the US Soccer Federation settled the lawsuit, agreeing to pay $24 million to the women’s team and committing to equal pay for both men’s and women’s squads moving forward. Despite this past, Trump praised Cordeiro’s “deep knowledge of global football and tournament logistics.”

The task force will also face challenges beyond sports. Security coordination across borders, visa and travel facilitation, and compliance with immigration laws are critical issues, especially as the US has tightened travel restrictions for multiple countries during Trump’s administration.

Many Democrats have voiced concerns that Trump’s past travel bans and strict immigration policies could complicate efforts to bring fans, teams, and workers into the country for the event. However, Trump has attempted to ease such concerns by promising cooperation on visa and travel processes. He stated, “We will make sure the world can come and enjoy the games. It’ll be the biggest and best World Cup ever.”

Supporters of the appointment argue that Giuliani’s close working relationship with Trump may allow faster decision-making and better alignment across agencies. However, ethics experts and governance watchdogs continue to question the increasing trend of high-profile roles being handed to individuals with personal connections rather than domain expertise.

The announcement was made during a World Cup planning meeting held at the White House on Tuesday, where Trump underscored the symbolic importance of hosting the tournament, noting that it represents “American leadership in global sports” and offers a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s cities and culture to the world.

As of now, the task force includes representatives from the Departments of Homeland Security, State, Transportation, and Health and Human Services, among others. Its mandate includes not only logistical coordination but also health preparedness, crowd control, and ensuring smooth movement of international delegations.

Giuliani will also be expected to work closely with FIFA officials, local organizing committees, and international partners in Canada and Mexico. With the clock ticking toward 2026, the task force is anticipated to step up its pace in resolving stadium readiness, transportation bottlenecks, and cybersecurity preparedness.

Trump’s selection of Giuliani and Cordeiro signals a mix of political loyalty and insider experience as the administration prepares to take center stage in organizing one of the largest sporting events in the world.

Whether the Giuliani-led task force can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but the appointment ensures that both media and public scrutiny will be unrelenting as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues.

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