For nearly a century, the FIFA World Cup has brought nations together, fostered global camaraderie, and served as a vibrant platform for cultural exchange. However, the upcoming 2026 tournament—set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—may challenge that legacy. CHRISTIAN OKPARA reports that tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s immigration, trade, and related policies could threaten the tournament’s spirit of unity. Although FIFA has ruled out relocating the event, concerns remain that these policies might discourage fans and cause the U.S. tourism sector to lose an estimated $64 billion by the end of 2025.
Since its inception in 1930 under the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the World Cup has featured 80 national teams competing for the trophy, won by eight nations. Held every four years except during World War II, the next edition will be a historic tri-nation event hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, expanding the competition to 48 teams.
The World Cup is the world’s most widely viewed sporting event. Nearly half the global population—3.57 billion people—watched the 2018 tournament, while the 2022 World Cup drew an estimated five billion viewers, including 1.5 billion for the final match. So far, 18 countries have hosted the tournament, with Qatar most recently welcoming fans.
Beyond uniting countries through sport, the World Cup serves as a cultural crossroads where fans from diverse backgrounds converge. Hosting such a large-scale event requires nations to abide by rules ensuring access and accommodation for participants and supporters, including visa-free entry or simplified visa processes for accredited attendees. For example, Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 issued visas linked to match tickets, facilitating smooth entry for fans.
Qatar, despite being a predominantly Muslim country, adapted its policies during the 2022 tournament to allow alcohol consumption in stadiums and fan zones, fulfilling a key campaign promise.
In contrast, there are rising fears that U.S. immigration policies may deter visitors from attending the 2026 World Cup. With the U.S. also hosting the 2028 Olympics, concerns mount that stringent visa and immigration controls could violate international sporting bodies’ expectations for free access.
When the North American bid won in 2018, geopolitical tensions, including some inflammatory policies under Trump, were noted but seemed manageable. However, with Trump’s return to power, uncertainty around U.S. immigration has resurfaced, especially due to travel bans on certain countries. Though most banned nations do not currently qualify for the World Cup, FIFA insists all ticket holders and accredited personnel must be allowed entry.
The tourism sector in the U.S. has already suffered under Trump’s policies. Analysts predict a 5.1% drop in foreign arrivals and a 10.9% decline in spending by 2025, potentially costing $64 billion in lost revenue. Reports highlight decreased travel interest from neighboring Canada and cautionary advisories from European nations, with notable drops in travel bookings and tourism activities in major cities like New York.
Calls to strip the U.S. of hosting rights have surfaced but were firmly rejected by FIFA, which reaffirmed the 2026 World Cup will proceed as planned in the U.S. Despite these assurances, critics warn the tournament’s inclusive atmosphere may be compromised by immigration policies that instill fear among immigrants and foreign visitors.
Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns that Trump’s approach to immigration and enforcement could discourage workers, fans, and families from fully participating in the event, undermining the World Cup’s unifying mission.
Conversely, some experts argue that genuine fans with the means and proper accreditation will still attend, emphasizing that all visitors must comply with existing immigration requirements regardless of the event.
Beyond immigration, trade tensions and tariff disputes involving the U.S., Canada, and Mexico add complexity to hosting the tournament. While some remain optimistic about smooth coordination, others caution that these policies could impact fan travel and overall event success.
Leading civil society groups have urged FIFA to press the U.S. government to reconsider policies that threaten human rights and the open access required for the event’s success. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has responded by assuring that travel and documentation will be managed efficiently to welcome visitors and their families.
Despite political challenges, FIFA, host countries, and stakeholders continue preparations, hoping to preserve the World Cup’s role as a global celebration of sport and culture. Yet, voices from within the sports community warn that excluding fans or complicating access risks eroding the tournament’s core values of unity, inclusivity, and shared passion.
As the tournament approaches, dialogue between FIFA and the host nations remains critical to balancing national sovereignty with the global nature of the World Cup, ensuring that millions of fans worldwide can experience this unparalleled football festival.
0 Comments