The FIFA World Cup is heading to Trump’s U.S. Will the world want to come — or even be able to?

The United States has seen a surge in border crackdowns and visa restrictions since President Donald Trump took office, creating an overall sense of fear among visitors. Despite this, one of the biggest and most highly anticipated sports events, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is set to be hosted in the U.S. next year, alongside Mexico and Canada. With 11 out of the 16 host cities located in the U.S., the tournament is expected to attract 6.5 million attendees.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has assured international fans that they will be welcomed at the World Cup. However, concerns have been raised by human rights organizations about the current political climate in the U.S. and its potential impact on international visitors. Vijay Setlur, an expert in sport marketing, warns that fans from countries with strained relations with the U.S. may be deterred from attending due to fears of detention or accusations of espionage.

The recent travel ban signed by Trump, which includes countries like Iran, has also raised questions about the ability of fans to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup. Amnesty International has expressed concerns about the treatment of immigrants and the potential threats to human rights for players and fans visiting the country. The U.S. policies on immigration have been criticized for contradicting FIFA’s values of human rights, inclusion, and global participation.

Despite these challenges, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico were chosen to host the 2026 World Cup with the aim of uniting positive change in the region. However, with the current political tensions between the U.S. and its neighbors, there are doubts about whether the event will be able to achieve this goal. Setlur suggests that FIFA may have preferred to host the tournament in Europe given the circumstances, but changing the location is no longer an option.

While concerns have been raised about the logistical challenges and political climate in the U.S., FIFA remains optimistic about the success of the World Cup. The tournament is expected to attract billions of viewers worldwide and fans are likely to overcome the obstacles to attend. Efforts are being made to streamline the visa application process and ensure that all visitors are welcome, despite the uncertainties surrounding the event.