ANDREW GIULIANI: How President Trump’s World Cup vision showed America at its very best

When President Donald Trump set his sights on bringing the FIFA World Cup back to the United States in 2018, he wasn’t just thinking about soccer. He was thinking about legacy—about uniting a country, welcoming the world and showing what American excellence looks like as we celebrate our nation’s 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 Trump’s 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 Seattle’s Pioneer Square, where local businesses saw sales rise to as much as 10 times their average, to Philadelphia’s $770 million in projected economic impact, the benefits will last for years to come.

The true legacy is the capability we built. America now has stronger technology, better training, and deeper partnerships at home and abroad. We worked with Canada, Mexico and FIFA to deliver a continental spectacle—proving that no country is better equipped to host an event on this scale. President Trump’s Golden Age of Sports is here, and the lessons learned will inform not only future World Cups, but also every major event we host.

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It’s especially meaningful that President Trump, who was the driving force behind our successful bid in 2018, was able to see this vision realized during his presidency. Few leaders get to witness their ambitions come full circle on a stage this grand. The pride he felt—and that we all shared—as we watched the world come together on American soil is something I’ll never forget.

Serving as executive director of the White House Task Force on the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been the honor of a lifetime. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve under President Trump and help make his vision for this country a reality during this extraordinary moment for America.

As we look ahead to the Olympics and America’s next chapter, let this World Cup stand as proof that when President Trump sets an ambitious vision, America delivers. We welcomed the world with unmatched hospitality, world-class venues, unwavering security and the confidence that has always defined this nation at its best. 

Americans fell in love with the World Cup, and the world fell in love with America again. That is the enduring legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the future of sports in America’s Golden Age.