GREAT USA Coalition Convenes with White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 to Advance Planning for 2026 Tournament

Washington, D.C. — The GREAT USA Coalition convened a high-level meeting this week with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing together senior leaders from across the federal government and private sector to align on preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The meeting featured remarks from Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, and Stewart Verdery, Executive Director of the GREAT USA Coalition, and underscored strong momentum and collaboration across stakeholders working to deliver a world-class tournament experience in the United States.

Participants engaged in a substantive discussion focused on key priorities critical to hosting a successful global event. Topics included updates from the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 and federal agencies such as the Departments of Homeland Security, Commerce, State, and Transportation; coordination on messaging, entry and compliance processes, and the overall visitor experience; and progress made to date across travel, transportation, and security systems.

The group also discussed upcoming coordination efforts tied to major events surrounding the World Cup, including Fan Festivals, the Freedom 250 commemoration, and other international gatherings hosted in the United States.

The meeting included participation from a distinguished group of public sector leaders, including:

• Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director, White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026

• Alex Flemister, Director of Strategic Initiatives, White House Office of Public Liaison

• Mora Namdar, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs

• Matt Davies, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Ben Siegrist, Director of Public Liaison and Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Transportation

• Robert O’Leary, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Travel and Tourism, U.S. Department of Commerce

• Nicholas Adams, Special Presidential Envoy for American Tourism, Exceptionalism and Values

• Wallace Cheves, Advisor, White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026

• John Guido, Associate Director, White House Office of Public Liaison

The convening highlighted the critical role of public-private partnership in preparing the nation to welcome millions of international visitors. Leaders emphasized that continued collaboration will be essential to delivering a safe, secure, and memorable experience for fans from around the world.

The GREAT USA Coalition and its partners will continue advancing this work in the months ahead.