48 Teams. 40 Days. One Old Town: Andrew Giuliani on FIFA World Cup 2026

<p>Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for FIFA World Cup 2026, sits down with host Jane Khodos Beyer to pull back the curtain on the most complex security and logistics operation in American sports history. From his days playing golf at Duke to serving in the Trump White House and running for governor of New York, Andrew's path to leading the federal effort behind a 48-team, 78-game, 40-day tournament is anything but ordinary. Andrew breaks down exactly what it takes to coordinate eight federal agencies, state and local law enforcement partners across 11 host cities, and counterparts in Mexico and Canada, all while protecting 1.6 billion viewers and making sure the world sees American exceptionalism on full display. Plus: why Old Town Alexandria was chosen as the home base for Team Croatia, how fans can still get tickets, and — because Jane and Andrew are both proud New Yorkers — who actually makes the best pizza. Plus, a lightning round on their favorite places around Old Town.</p><p></p><p>00:00 World Cup Stakes Intro</p><p>01:24 Meet Andrew Giuliani</p><p>02:58 Security Scale Explained</p><p>07:15 Task Force Structure</p><p>10:05 Trilateral Host Coordination</p><p>12:27 Tickets and Fan Festivals</p><p>15:10 Croatia Picks Old Town</p><p>17:56 Croatia in Town Impact</p><p>20:23 Why Soccer Rules Globally</p><p>22:31 Soccer Boom America</p><p>22:47 World Cup Sparks MLS</p><p>23:23 Womens Game Surge</p><p>24:00 2026 World Cup Outlook</p><p>24:26 New York Pizza Pivot</p><p>24:51 Iconic NYC Slices</p><p>25:44 West Village Pizza Tour</p><p>26:49 Old Town Pizza Taste</p><p>27:43 Soccer Terms Banter</p><p>28:14 Old Town Lightning Round</p><p>29:15 Coffee Dinner Drinks Picks</p><p>31:50 Game Watching Spots</p><p>32:29 Closing Thanks And Teamwork</p><p> </p><p><b>Around Old Town and Beyond</b></p><p><b>Cooper Mill Pizza:</b> IG: @thecoopermill</p><p><b>Landini Brothers: </b>IG: @landinibrothersinc</p><p><b>Swings Coffee: </b>IG: @swingscoffee</p><p><b>Mia's: </b>IG: @mias_italian_kitchen</p><p><b>Thompson Italian: </b>IG: @thompsonitalian</p><p><b>Josephine: </b>IG: @josephineoldtown</p><p><b>Barca Pier &amp; Wine Bar: </b>IG: @barca_alx</p><p><b>The Study at the Morrison House: </b>IG: @thestudyalx</p><p><b>Augie's: </b>IG: @augiesbeergarden</p><p><b>Call Your Mother Deli: </b>IG: @callyourmotherdeli</p><p> </p><p><b>Stay Connected</b></p><p>Email us at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:podcast@peopleyoumeetinoldtown.com" target="_blank">podcast@peopleyoumeetinoldtown.com</a></p><p>To stay up to date with The People You Meet In Old Town, and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and a review.</p><p> </p><p>Instagram: @peopleyoumeet.oldtownalx</p><p></p><p><b>The People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria</b></p><p><i>The People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria is a podcast that explores the people, places, and ideas that shape the historic district. Hosted by Jane Khodos Beyer, the show features wide-ranging discussions with local leaders and experts who bring practical ideas on how to preserve our heritage and build a vibrant community.</i></p><p></p><p>© 2026 The People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria. All rights reserved.</p>