Cordeiro’s New Appointment

Carlos Cordeiro, who served as U.S. Soccer president from 2018 to 2020,has been appointed as a senior adviser to the 2026 FIFA World Cup task force. The announcement was made by former President Trump during a meeting at the white House on Tuesday, according to Politico.com.

Prior to this appointment, Cordeiro served as a senior advisor to FIFA for global strategy and governance, and later as a senior advisor to FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Background on cordeiro’s U.S. Soccer Presidency

Cordeiro’s tenure as president of U.S. Soccer ended in 2020 after he resigned amid criticism regarding the federation’s legal stance toward the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) concerning equal pay. The legal arguments presented at the time were widely condemned as insensitive and discriminatory.

FIFA’s Perspective

FIFA views Cordeiro as a key figure in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. According to FIFA.com, Central to FIFA’s participation in the task force will be Carlos Cordeiro, one of football’s preeminent business and organizational leaders, who was appointed to his current role in September 2021 to advise FIFA on new strategic initiatives to grow the game at all levels.

Other Key Appointments

Alongside Cordeiro,former President Trump also named Andrew Giuliani,son of Rudy Giuliani,as the executive director of the task force.

He’s gonna be great, Trump said at the inaugural meeting of the task force on Tuesday, according to Politico.com. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a highly competitive golfer, which I mean, really good. And he’s also a highly competitive person and he loves what we’re doing.

Trump’s Vision for the World Cup

Former President Trump emphasized the significance of the World Cup for the United States.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase the beauty and greatness of America and we can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe.

Former President Trump

He further added, I have directed my entire team to do everything within our power to make the [FIFA] World cup an unprecedented success. It’s going to be vrey special. Together we will ensure that the 2026 World Cup will be the best-run soccer tournament the world has ever seen.

Infantino’s Confidence in the U.S.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed his confidence in the United States’ ability to host a prosperous World Cup.

The entire world will focus on the United States of America, and America will welcome the world. Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game will be able to do that in the host cities, in the 11 cities all over the country.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA President

Infantino continued, We have, and the world has, full and entire confidence in the United States and in all the partners, in all the agencies to make sure that we will bring to the world something that they have never seen, and they will probably never see again.

Economic Impact

Infantino projected substantial economic benefits for the U.S. from the upcoming tournaments.

He stated that the Club World Cup, which will kick off in the states next month, and the world Cup would generate almost $50 billion for the U.S. and create nearly 300,000 jobs.