The FIFA World Cup is heading to Trump in the United States, does the world want to come – or even be able to do so?

You can say that the United States is not exactly the most welcome country for visitors at the present time.

There was an increase border New campaign Visa restrictions And a general feeling Fear of detention middle Multiple reports From foreigners running Liked for weeks In the five months since US President Donald Trump took office.

However, one of the largest and most expected and attending events to the United States next year: the 2026 World Cup, the first international football competition.

The United States will participate in hosting the World Cup next year with Mexico and Canada. Of the 16 host cities, 11 on the American soil. It was estimated This, through the three countries, will attend 6.5 million people for the tournament.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Trump’s ally, promised to do so International fans will be welcome In the World Cup. But Trump’s migration position raised questions about the potential challenges of many international fans who expect to travel to the United States

Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch “Dangerous Fears” about the matches in the United States and at the same time raised the construction excitement of the championship – Toronto and Vancouver I started preparing for a steady football fans – it was there Calls to boycott US As a host.

The current political climate in the United States, if it continues, can be a great deterrent, especially for fans from countries that contradict America, according to Vegay Citlor, an expert in sports marketing and sports business at Schulich College of Business at York University.

“I can see fans to be able to stay away from the fear of detention. Although they are there to watch football, they can be accused of spying or something like this,” CBC News told CBC News.

“It can be a big problem.”

For example, Iran was one of The first difference to qualify For the World Cup, but the two countries are working in decades -long conflict on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Wednesday night, Trump signed an order This would prevent people from dozens of countries, including Iran, from entering the United States. It is scheduled to enter into force on Monday.

Prohibition It makes exceptions For athletes, coaches and direct relatives who travel to the World Cup, they do not mention the fans.

Given that the United States is also preparing to welcome the world at the FIFA World Cup later this month, the Ryder Cup in Golf in September and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, the question becomes: Does the world want to come, or will they be able to do so?

“It aims to raise the tape”

Last month, Human Rights Watch He wrote an open letter to the FIFA president, citing “serious concerns” about the effects of immigration policies in the United States in the 2026 World Cup.

“There is a need to take immediate action to address policies that directly contradict the FIFA values ​​announced for human rights, integration and global participation,” the Dawa Group wrote in the May 5 speech.

“The 2026 World Cup was aimed at lifting the tape … These obligations are now in great danger.”

The American policies mentioned by the Da`wa Group include: the reported travel restrictions and its prohibition; Visa practices that require applicants The detection of their specified gender at birth And recognition only Bilateral sex categories; Detention of international students; the Deportation One of the country’s citizens; and Prohibition of refugees.

Amnesty International, an international non -governmental organization for human rights, has also expressed concerns about players and fans traveling to the United States

In a statement by CBC News, Steve Kawaburn, head of Amnesty International and Human Rights, was killed by Trump’s collective deportation program and “arbitrary arrests and detention”. He also pointed out that the routine border crosses “turned into harassment”, especially for 2LGBTQ+, religious minorities and colored people.

“It is difficult to know who will target the Trump administration after that,” Kawaburne said.

“With the lack of a sign of the Trump administration’s harsh treatment of immigrants and the repression of freedom of expression, human rights travelers may unfortunately find in the United States” in the United States “

“The Unity of the Three Countries”

Hummway Watch also noticed that when FIFA gave the offer For the United States, Canada and Mexico, the decision was celebrated as a sin that would unify positive change. At that time, in 2018, the rift created by the definitions and the proposed border wall due to the long political and economic alliances of the neighbors were polished.

The “unity of the three countries” was the dominant topic that Carlos Cordereo, President of the American Football Association, explained at the time.

Setlor said a smart decision at the time at the time, not only for FIFA to develop its revenues, but because it was also an opportunity to raise football in the crowded sports market in North America.

Now, with Trump inciting commercial wars with United States neighbors and around the world, along with his aggressive campaign to enforce immigration?

“At this stage, do you wish FIFA from a logistical point of view that this World Cup was in Europe?” maybe “.

“But at this point, they cannot change it and they only have to hope to pressure the US government enough.”

The assurances that everyone is welcome

Regardless of where it is held, the World Cup is often considered for a month the largest sporting event in terms of its size and global attractiveness. FIFA 1.5 billion people were caught in the 2022 final between Argentina and France Live on TV (2025 Super BallBy comparison, record about 127.7 million viewers.

Alan Rothnberg, who was running the 1994 World Cup and supervised an attempt to host the Women’s World Cup in 1999 as US football president at the time, The Associated Press had previously told the Associated Press He believes that the fans will continue to the FIFA World Cup.

Pointing to concerns about the last two World Cup, in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, indicated that these tournaments still attract more than three million attendees.

“Many of this is the government to the government,” said Rottenberg. “Emotional football fans will not be placed from it.”

As they are travel groups The interests raised The waiting times mean that the fans from some of the 48 countries that were appointed in the competition will not be able to secure an American visa before the FIFA Championship, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the administration is considering putting consular officers on double transformations and Use of artificial intelligence To help processing treatment.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance warned that “visitors return” after attending the matches.

“Otherwise, they would have to speak to Minister Nayyw.”

Setlr says it agrees that the fans who are most likely to be fans will continue to come to the championship despite the risks. But between the political deterrence and the economic cost of attending the match – not only ticket prices, but while traveling to North America and the multiple host cities – he says he is wondering if FIFA is able to fill the stadium seats.

“In the United States, football grows, but it is not the first sport … they will have to rely a little on visitors.”