STORY
The 2026 World Cup has opened under mounting political pressure, with concerns over US immigration rules, visa decisions and security measures threatening to overshadow FIFA’s attempt to present the tournament as a celebration of global unity. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, began in Mexico City, but much of the political controversy centres on the United States, where most of the matches will be played and where Donald Trump’s immigration agenda has become a central issue for travelling fans, officials and campaigners.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the handling of visa issues, saying immigration decisions are ultimately made by Governments rather than by football authorities. However, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry to the United States despite having a valid visa, while concerns have also been raised about the treatment of media, support staff and fans from countries affected by travel restrictions or heightened security checks. Infantino has insisted that the competition remains inclusive, but the row has exposed the obvious difficulty of staging a supposedly universal sporting event in a country pursuing a restrictive border policy.