Washington
CNN
–
President Donald Trump said Tuesday there was “no tension” between the United States, Mexico and Canada that could hinder preparations for the FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by the three countries.
Trump, who hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Kearney at the White House on Tuesday, denied the issue between his administration and his neighbors in the Northern and Southern United States. After taking office for the second time, Trump has repeatedly proposed that he wants to make Canada the 51st US state, causing a trade war with much of the world, including Canada and Mexico.
Despite panicking about frequent public spats and trade negotiations, Trump said there should be no issues with World Cup preparations.
“I don’t see any tension here. I’m doing very well with both,” Trump said in response to a question from CNN Sports. “They just have to pay a little more. They’re just running away that they shouldn’t be. And they understand.”
He added: “We held an incredible meeting today with the wonderful (Canadian) Prime Minister (Karney). He is a great guy and had a very long session with (Vice President) JD (Vence) and (Secretary of State) Marco (Rubio) and everyone. His relationship with the President of Mexico is very good.”
The East Room event marked the first meeting of the White House Task Force at the World Cup. This was previously sought by travel experts who were concerned about preparing for a large US tournament.
Trump discussed the tournament with Carney during the Prime Minister’s visit, adding that cooperation between North American co-hosts was “total.”
The overwhelming message from Tuesday’s meeting was that the Trump administration is ready to do whatever it takes to make the tournament a success. Trump told FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the purpose was to participate in the World Cup, “This is much better, so I’m going to say how terrible you’ve done in the past.”
This includes providing federal funding for security in the World Cup host cities as Trump claimed that the economic benefits of the tournament would far outweigh federal investments.
Other messages made loud and clear: the administration hopes the world will come to America and return home.
“I know we have visitors from probably around 100 countries,” Vance said. “We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. We want them to watch the game. But once time has passed, they have to go home. Otherwise they will have to talk to the (Homeland Security) secretary (Christi) Noem.” NOEM’s division includes Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is responsible for deportation from the United States.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, who touted the idea of encouraging road travel as part of America’s 250th birthday to be celebrated in 2026, said:
“So, if you’re coming to watch football… watch America going on a road trip. Don’t continue your visa, don’t stay long.
Just before the meeting, Trump announced that Andrew Giuliani, former New York mayor, mayor Rudy Giuliani and the son of longtime Trump aide, will serve as executive director of the Presidential Task Force at the 2026 World Cup. Carlos Cordeiro, former president of the United States Football Federation and now a senior advisor to FIFA, will serve as senior adviser to Giuliani.
A former New York gubernatorial candidate, Giuliani served as a special assistant to the president in Trump’s first administration and served as deputy director of the Public Liaison Bureau. Trump noted that he helped coordinate re-entry of foreign professional athletes who robbed trade in the US during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
At the first meeting of the task force on Tuesday, Trump praised Giuliani as a competitive person and a skilled golfer.
“He’s a very competitive golfer and that means I’m really good,” Trump said. “And he is a very competitive person and he loves what we do. So I want to congratulate you and your family and your father, your great father, your great father in New York history. So I want to congratulate my family.”
he added with a laugh. “That’s a big post, you should do well, Andrew.
The task force is primarily composed of members of Trump’s Cabinet, with Vance serving as vice-president. Other members of the task force include GOPSens. Includes Shelley Moore Capito and Todd Young, Darin Lahood and Bryan Steil.
