President Donald Trump is being positioned as a central figure in the build‑up to the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that will be co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and feature 48 teams. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has repeatedly praised Trump, even awarding him a fabricated “FIFA Peace Prize,” and the two have appeared together at high‑profile summits. Their partnership is seen as an attempt to leverage the event’s commercial clout for political gain.
The political entanglement is already manifesting in practical problems. Iran’s technical staff have been denied U.S. visas, forcing the squad to train in Tijuana, while the Iranian federation’s fan ticket allocation was revoked after purchases were made. A Haitian player and a Somali referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, have also faced entry refusals despite holding valid documents. Other foreign supporters report similar bureaucratic blocks, even after spending large sums on travel and tickets. Infantino’s recent remarks urging critics to “chill” underscore the tension between sport administration and immigration policy.
Critics argue that the tournament’s spirit is being compromised by Trump’s politicisation and the resulting visa chaos. Observers warn that continued friction could dampen fan enthusiasm and tarnish the global celebration that the World Cup traditionally embodies.
