The world will be welcomed to the United States for the 2026 World Cup and this year’s Club World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday, days after a meeting with officials from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

The U.S. will co-host next year’s World Cup with Mexico and Canada, and will also host the Club World Cup from June 14 to July 13, which will take place across 11 cities.

Infantino’s comments come against a backdrop of Trump’s immigration stance that has raised questions about potential challenges for the numerous international fans expected to travel to the U.S. for both tournaments.

Trump began an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign after taking office in January, declaring illegal immigration an “invasion” in an attempt to ramp up deportations.

“We had a meeting last week of the White House Task Force on FIFA World Cups with the government of the United States (…) And the world is welcome in America. Of course, the players, of course, everyone involved, all of us, but definitely also all the fans,” Infantino said at the FIFA Congress on Thursday.

“And let’s be clear about that. This doesn’t come from me; this comes from the American government. Everyone is welcome, obviously, those who want to come and celebrate football … Those who want to come to create trouble, like in every country in the world, they are not welcome. They are not welcome anywhere in the world.”

Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, will serve as executive director of the presidential task force for the 2026 World Cup.

Trump said last week he wanted people travelling to America to watch the competition to have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.

NO DECISION ON PALESTINIAN CLAIM

“One topic I would like to mention is the item requested by the Palestine Football Association. Let me assure you that the work has obviously started and is moving ahead. Let me assure you also that progress is being made,” Infantino said.

The Palestinian proposal accused the Israel Football Association of complicity in violations of international law by the Israeli government, discrimination against Arab players, and inclusion in its league of clubs located in Palestinian territory. The IFA rejected the accusations.

It asked to expel Israeli clubs located in illegally occupied territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem with immediate effect.

Later, a Palestine delegate said: “Not having taken a decision is not a neutral act.

“In one month, FIFA should present us with a report to find out what is going on.”

No Israeli representative spoke on the issue.

-Reuters

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U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, will serve as executive director of the presidential task force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

During Trump’s first term, Andrew Giuliani served as a special assistant to the president and associate director of the Office of Public Liaison. Trump described him as a highly competitive golfer and person.

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino attend a meeting of the FIFA Task Force at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

In the post on Truth Social, Trump also said Carlos Cordeiro, a FIFA senior advisor, will serve as a task force senior advisor.

“Together this group will help plan the biggest, safest and most extraordinary soccer tournament in history,” Trump said at a task force meeting where FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. Vice President JD Vance were also present.

Trump said he wanted people traveling to America to watch the competition to have a seamless experience during every part of their visit.

The U.S. will also host the first-ever Club World Cup from June 14 to July 13, which will take place across 11 cities.

“America will welcome the world,” Infantino said of the U.S. hosting the two international tournaments.

Infantino said the two events would bring almost $50 billion in economic output to the U.S. and create almost 300,000 jobs.

Vance, who serves as vice chair of the task force, said the group would do everything in its power to make the events successful.

“Of course, everybody is welcome to come and see this incredible event, I know we’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries,” Vance said.

“We want them to come, we want them to celebrate, we want them to watch the game but when the time is up, they’ll have to go home, otherwise, they’ll have to talk to (Homeland Security) Secretary (Kristi) Noem,” he said.

-Reuters

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As Morocco continues to attract global visitors, especially in the sporting segments, infrastructural development is ongoing.

The latest is the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station, paving the way for a new era of ultra-modern rail infrastructure across the country.

The project was launched on Thursday by the monarch, King Mohammed VI. Apart from being a centre of major sporting events, Morocco recently launched a tourism initiative that will make the kingdom the ultimate destination.

The internal transport system is being overhauled. The 430-kilometre project forms part of a $9.6 billion railway development program that will transform the country’s transportation network.

It will be recalled that the 2030 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by Morocco along with Spain and Portugal.

It is the first ever transcontinental edition of the World Cup, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the global championship.

According to information from the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), the  Kenitra-Marrakech  LGV reflects Morocco’s strategic vision for sustainable development, particularly the promotion of low-carbon collective mobility solutions.

“This project demonstrates Morocco’s firm determination to continue developing the national rail network,” said an official statement during the ceremony, noting the railway’s role as “the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system.”

The high-speed line will connect Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech while serving Rabat and Casablanca airports.

It will drastically reduce travel times, with journeys between Tangier and Rabat taking just one hour, Tangier to Casablanca 1 hour 40 minutes, and Tangier to Marrakech 2 hours 40 minutes — saving over two hours compared to current durations.

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