Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup, told Newsmax on Friday that the soccer tournament has exceeded expectations and showcased the U.S. on the world's biggest sporting stage ahead of this weekend's final games.
The World Cup concludes with England facing France in Saturday's third-place match in Miami before Argentina meets Spain in Sunday's title game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend Sunday's showdown.
Giuliani credited Trump with helping secure the tournament for America during his first term and said the administration's execution of the event has fulfilled that vision.
The 2026 World Cup has been "the greatest sporting event, not just in American history, but in world history," Giuliani told "Bianca Across the Nation." "There are a lot of countries that can host a really good World Cup, but there's only one country that can host the greatest World Cup of all time, and that's the United States of America."
Although Canada and Mexico also hosted matches, Giuliani said that "the leadership of our 45th and 47th president made this vision possible back in 2018.
"And the execution for this incredible event, it's been off the charts. It has been incredible," he said.
Giuliani said the tournament has highlighted American culture as millions of international visitors traveled all over the country while generating what he said was an estimated $30 billion economic impact.
He pointed to moments involving fans from around the world, including Japanese supporters cleaning stadiums after matches and Scotland's large contingent of traveling fans in Boston.
"This really goes back by design," Giuliani said. "The president, his vision for landing this back in 2018.
"When I first interviewed with President Trump about this role, I told him that I believed there was going to be no larger platform than the '26 FIFA World Cup to be able to show off American exceptionalism over our first 250 years, and the hope and promise that is that American dream over the next 250 years."
Giuliani said he believes the World Cup will launch what he called an era of major sporting events in America, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, a potential 2031 Women's World Cup, and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"I think we're talking about not just the golden age of America, but the golden age of sport in America," he said.
Asked about forecasts that smoke from Canadian wildfires could affect air quality for Sunday's final, Giuliani said federal officials and FIFA have been monitoring conditions throughout the tournament.
"We on the White House Task Force have the National Weather Service that's down with FIFA at FIFA headquarters in Coral Gables in Miami monitoring it not just for this final match, but for the first 102 matches," he said.
"I will tell you, we're monitoring right now. Knock on wood, the forecast looks like it's going to clear up and hopefully will be nice and clear for this final match."
Giuliani said task force members remained in discussions with FIFA on contingency planning, but expressed confidence conditions would improve.
"You've seen this, there is some magic that the president has," said Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "Go back to the UFC fight just a month ago, where the skies somehow parted for the guy. The weather ends up being great.
"I think it's going to be the same thing that happens. I think he's going to bring that to the FIFA World Cup final here."
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