Forget penalty kicks — the real excitement at the 2026 World Cup hosted by North America will be a global trade war, or so says U.S. President Donald Trump.
The administration slapped new 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada in February before issuing a temporary delay. The tariffs went into effect this month, but with duties on vehicles and other goods delayed until April.
“Oh, I think it’s going to make it more exciting,” Trump told reporters when asked how the tensions between the U.S., Canada and Mexico might affect the global football tournament, which will be co-hosted by the three countries.
“Tension is a good thing. … It makes it much more exciting,” Trump said.
Gianni Infantino, the president of World Cup organizer FIFA, was in the White House on Friday while Trump signed an executive order establishing a 2026 World Cup task force that he will chair to oversee preparations for the tournament.
“Thank you, Mr. President, for setting up this task force, because it is important that everyone that comes to America feels safe, feels welcome, and that’s why it’s important that the government puts together this White House task force,” Infantino said.
The U.S. is home to 11 of the 16 host cities, with 48 teams playing in the expanded 2026 tournament.
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