[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H5021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FIFA 2026 WORLD CUP
(Mr. LaHOOD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reflect on the resounding
success of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Over 39 days, the United States alongside Canada and Mexico, hosted
104 matches, or the equivalent of 104 Super Bowls, making it the
largest sporting event in the history of our country.
More than 6.8 million fans attended matches, another 7.7 million
visited fan festivals, and the U.S. welcomed visitors from around the
globe with open arms. Beyond the elite level of play on the pitch, the
tournament generated tens of billions of dollars in economic activity
and supported thousands of American jobs.
I was proud to be a part of the White House FIFA task force under the
leadership of Executive Director Andrew Giuliani and President Trump,
where we worked with more than 50 Federal agencies in an unprecedented
effort to ensure a safe, secure, and exciting event for fans and
spectators.
I thank our law enforcement officers, first responders, and public
servants who worked tirelessly to make sure the tournament was safe,
secure, and ensured the World Cup finished without a single major
security incident.
During America's 250th anniversary, our Nation's hospitality, its
strength, and its ability to bring the world together were on full
display. We once again proved that when the world comes to America, we
can deliver.
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