The World Cup in a Storm of Global Politics and Conflict

When FIFA decided to appoint the United States, along with Canada and Mexico, as the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, they hoped that this event would be a smooth football celebration without controversy. Moreover, the United States has significant experience in successfully hosting this grand event in 1994.

After various controversial cases in several previous editions of the World Cup, granting the 2026 edition to the three countries in North America may be the most logical option for the world football authorities. The United States is the largest sports market, accounting for approximately 37 percent of the total industry.

Public interest in soccer in the United States is also growing. According to a report by Sports Innovation Lab in 2023, approximately 27 percent of the 85 million sports fans in the U.S. are interested in soccer. Meanwhile, data from Samford University indicates that from 2018 to 2024, the number of viewers of international soccer in the U.S. has increased by 60 percent.

In addition to Canada's stability and Mexico's passion for football, hosting matches in iconic cities such as New York, Toronto, and Mexico City is seen as the most appropriate choice, in stark contrast to the controversy surrounding the selection of Qatar as the host.

However, the desire to hold the World Cup smoothly without turmoil and controversy is fading. Several events leading up to the 2026 World Cup have made this occasion not just about preparing stadiums, but also a significant test for diplomacy and security amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Only a few months after FIFA awarded the FIFA Peace Prize to President Donald Trump, the United States, along with Israel, launched an attack on Iran, one of the representatives from Asia in this World Cup. This has further complicated the security issues.

The assassination attempt on Trump at the White House correspondents' dinner in Washington on April 25, 2026, further demonstrated the unstable security situation in the US. The high number of mass shootings in the country has also made visitors nervous. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 94 mass shootings in the first quarter of 2026.

One of the most tangible challenges of the 2026 World Cup comes from domestic policies in the United States. The increase in the number of participants from 32 to 48 teams provides an opportunity for more countries to showcase themselves in this global event.

However, the inclusive nature of the World Cup is being questioned following the implementation of travel bans and concerns regarding human rights. The US government has imposed travel restrictions on a dozen countries, including several nations that will participate in the 2026 World Cup, namely Iran, Senegal, Haiti, and Ivory Coast.

Quoting the White House website, Trump stated that the reason for the travel ban is to protect national and public security in the United States. Although there are exceptions for players, coaches, and officials, supporters from the countries affected by the travel ban will not be able to come to support their teams.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter also supported the idea of ​​a fan boycott movement.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated in an interview with Sky that, despite his good relationship with Trump, he opposes the travel ban. "I'm against the ban, I'm also against the boycott. I don't think it achieves anything. It only contributes to more hatred," Infantino said.

One of the solutions from that policy is to move the matches to Canada or Mexico where travel bans do not apply. However, FIFA does not seem to consider this. The request from the Iranian national team to have their match relocated to Mexico after their country was bombed by the US and Israel, for instance, was rejected by FIFA.

Diplomatic tensions have also spilled over into inter-household relations. Trump's harsh rhetoric regarding tariff policies and border issues with Canada and Mexico has repeatedly strained relations. This has raised concerns that cross-border coordination—ranging from logistics, immigration, to security—could be dragged into political dynamics.

In fact, the joint hosting by three countries certainly requires smooth travel flows between nations, especially for supporters chasing matches in different cities. Moreover, this World Cup is being held in 16 cities across the three countries. To address this, the US government has introduced special policies, such as an expedited visa program (FIFA Pass), while Canada has implemented a temporary work permit exemption policy.

Another concern arises from the face of immigration law enforcement in the US. Aggressive vetting practices could deter fans from attending stadiums. The Athletic reports that Infantino has even proposed asking Trump to impose a moratorium on raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This concern has been present since the US hosted the Club World Cup last year. At that time, fans were afraid to attend stadiums for fear of being caught in ICE raids.

Calls for a boycott have also emerged from several groups who believe the hosting policy is inconsistent with FIFA's spirit of inclusivity. Amnesty International, for example, warned that the immigration policy risks triggering racial profiling of fans. "US travel restrictions and repressive immigration policies tarnish the beauty of this game," Amnesty International stated.

An online petition in the Netherlands urging the "Orlando" team to withdraw from the World Cup, which will be held by April 29, 2026, has garnered 174,300 signatures. As reported by CNN, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter also supports the idea of ​​a fan boycott. Meanwhile, Oke Gottlich, president of German club St. Pauli and one of the vice-presidents of the German Football Association, has also spoken out about a team boycott.

Many fans have also canceled plans to watch the World Cup live in the US. One such example is Steve Schwarzbach, a German member of the Participating Member Association (PMA) Supporters, or superfan, who canceled his $1,600 reservation for two quarterfinal and semifinal tickets.

"You see ICE agents roaming around and pulling people off the streets just because they look like foreigners, and you don't feel that anyone will protect me. I don't feel safe," said this Frankfurt resident.

In Mexico, a wave of violence following the death of a drug cartel leader has created significant concerns, particularly in host cities such as Guadalajara. These concerns are increasingly relevant as Guadalajara is located in Jalisco State, the base of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Unrest erupted after a security operation resulted in the death of CJNG leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, also known as "El Mencho," on February 22, 2026.

Guadalajara, among others, will host a match featuring one of the championship favorites, Spain, facing Uruguay in the group stage. The opening match of the 2026 World Cup will take place in Mexico City between the host nation and South Africa on June 11. Mexico will also host two matches in the round of 32 and the round of 16.

To ensure security during the tournament, the Mexican government launched a massive operation called Plan Kukulkan in the host city and nearby tourist areas. They deployed 99,000 personnel, including 20,000 soldiers and 55,000 police officers, supported by 2,500 military and civilian vehicles, 24 aircraft, anti-drone systems, and sniffer dogs to detect explosives or other illicit substances.

At the global level, the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran in 2026 also altered the risk landscape of the World Cup. Iran had considered not participating in the World Cup, although it ultimately declared its readiness to compete. Geopolitical conflicts further added to the complexity of organizing the 2026 World Cup.