AMERICA is showing the world its “real truth” at the World Cup, and Donald Trump’s tournament chief says the country now commands more global respect than it has in generations.
From beer-draining Scots in Boston and “Viking” Norwegians rowing through New York’s subway to overseas fans trying to fly home with bottles of ranch, the tournament has become a wild showcase for life in the US.
The 48-team spectacle is unfolding across 11 American host cities as the country celebrates its 250th birthday, bringing millions of visitors into its bars, streets, stores, and transport systems.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force on the Fifa World Cup 2026, says they are seeing a side of America often hidden behind political rows and headlines.
In an exclusive interview, he told The U.S. Sun: “We really think this was an unbelievable opportunity to show the real truth of the United States of America.
“And remember, this was not just going on in a vacuum, this is going on over our 250th birthday.
“So what a great opportunity to show the rest of the world the freedoms that the United States offers and what that can do for them.”
Giuliani argued that Trump’s “America First” message should not be mistaken for turning the country away from the rest of the world.
“As President Trump has said repeatedly, America first doesn’t mean America only,” he said.
His comments come after years of trade and tariff battles, strained alliances and fierce criticism abroad of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
But Giuliani rejected the suggestion that the tournament was needed to repair the country’s global standing.
“I would look at it actually the other way around,” he said.
“I think the United States has more respect in the world now than they’ve had in generations.”
He added: “Now, love and respect are not necessarily the same thing, but I think right now the United States gets and demands more respect from the key players in the geopolitical world.”
Away from the games, fans from around the world have quickly bonded over their shared love of soccer.
Scotland’s Tartan Army became local heroes after tens of thousands of supporters descended on Boston for their nation’s first World Cup appearance since 1998.
Bars were forced to arrange emergency beer deliveries, with one taproom selling more than 3,000 pints of Boston Lager in four days and collecting 70 empty kegs.
Videos of Boston women dancing, dating and partying with Scots also exploded online, with locals praising the visitors’ kindness – and joking about a possible baby boom in nine months.
The love affair became so intense that Mayor Michelle Wu signed a letter of intent designating Boston and Glasgow as sister cities.
Norwegian fans staged their own takeover in New York, flooding Times Square in red and navy before performing their “Viking ship” rowing celebration on subway trains and escalators.
Even the New Jersey Devils’ mascot joined the giant rowing display as Norway celebrated its first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
In Texas, foreign visitors have treated the enormous Buc-ee’s gas station as a tourist attraction, marveling at its brisket, Beaver Nuggets, souvenirs and supermarket-sized stores.
Fort Worth officials even launched a visitor shuttle taking fans from downtown to Buc-ee’s and other local attractions on non-match days.
Ranch dressing has become another unexpected hit, prompting the TSA to remind departing fans that bottles larger than 3.4 ounces must be packed in checked luggage.
But the tournament has not been one long love-in.
Argentina and Algeria supporters were filmed trading punches and kicks in Times Square before their opening game, with police stepping in as children and other bystanders were caught near the melee.
The clash was one of the first major outbreaks of fan violence during a tournament being protected by one of the largest sporting security operations ever staged.
Giuliani said the event’s ability to bring people together remains greater than the divisions surrounding it.
“It’s a great opportunity for all countries around the world to come to the United States, to see just how the UScan throw a 250th birthday party with the World Cup being a central part of that.
“Whatever differences we may have – political, religious, ethnic – when you get a soccer game and people sit together, there are a lot of different people from all different backgrounds that can bond just over the beauties of sport,” he said.
“And that’s one of the great things that this tournament offers.”
The expanded competition includes 104 matches across the US, Canada and Mexico, with 78 being staged in America.
Giuliani described the US operation as “78 Super Bowls in 39 days,” stretching from Boston to Los Angeles and Seattle to Miami.
“This is really unique,” he said.
“It’s really important that federal law enforcement is working hand in glove with local law enforcement.”
The task force says all 78 US matches have counter-drone protection, compared with just five special events across the country receiving such coverage last year.
One official fan festival in each of the 11 American host cities is also receiving counter-drone protection.
Cybersecurity teams are preparing for attacks targeting ticketing systems, QR codes, stadium screens, and other technology after billions of attempted breaches were recorded during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
“What I can tell you is we have eyes everywhere making sure we are protecting our technology throughout this event,” Giuliani said.
Immigration enforcement has remained one of the most controversial parts of the tournament, with ICE and Homeland Security Investigations officers deployed around venues.
Giuliani insisted their presence was standard for major events and said removing experienced officers would create security gaps, particularly in operations targeting human trafficking.
He told concerned overseas supporters: “I think anybody who has come legally to the United States of America has nothing to worry about.”
The administration’s approach has already been tested by Iran, whose players have been forced to commute from a base in Tijuana, Mexico, while some officials were denied entry to the US.
Giuliani said every Iranian player and coach received a visa, meaning the restrictions would not affect the team competing on the field.
But he added: “We’re not going to let anybody connected with the IRGC into the country.
“We’re not going to let the soccer tournament allow bad actors to come into the United States.”
The Iranian team has continued competing despite complaining about its travel restrictions and unequal treatment, with its final group match scheduled against Egypt in Seattle.
Giuliani said the task force would do everything possible to protect Iran’s players and fans, as well as those representing every other nation in the tournament.
The administration previously secured a $625million federal grant to help host cities cover policing, emergency planning, equipment and other security costs.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/sport/16557720/fifa-world-cup-truth-trump-task-force-andrew-giuliani/
