Logistics, geopolitics hang like dark cloud over 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup is set to kick off in June, bringing together a record 48 national teams in an expanded format. For the first time, the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While FIFA’s mantra remains that “football unites the world,” policy restrictions by Washington and mounting geopolitical tensions — particularly those linked to the Middle East conflict — are casting a shadow over the event.

The United States is expected to host nearly three-quarters of all matches across eleven cities, while Canada and Mexico will stage a smaller share. With more than one million international visitors anticipated, observers are increasingly questioning how the tournament will unfold amid ongoing global tensions and evolving US policies.

Under the administration of Donald Trump, relations between the three host nations have shifted significantly since the original co-hosting plans were set in 2017. According to analysis by the Council on Foreign Relations, stricter immigration and border policies could complicate travel for both fans and participants.

Travel logistics

In June last year, the Trump administration introduced a travel ban affecting citizens from 19 countries, either fully or partially restricting entry to the United States. Additional measures have followed, including a January 2026 decision to halt immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, although tourist visas remain unaffected.

Initially, officials suggested that athletes, coaches, and support staff linked to major events such as the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics would be exempt. However, the State Department later clarified that “only a small subset of travellers” would qualify, raising concerns that fans, journalists, and sponsors from restricted countries may not benefit from exemptions.

Currently, four qualified teams — Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, and Senegal — are directly affected by the travel ban, preventing their supporters from attending matches in the United States. Other participating nations, including Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Morocco, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan, are subject to visa processing pauses.

"That shouldn’t stop fans from those countries from getting tourist visas,” CFR expert Ted Alden noted, “but you can certainly expect that anybody coming from those countries is going to face an extra level of scrutiny.”

Financial barriers may further limit attendance. Under the “Visa Bond Pilot Program,” travellers from certain countries must deposit up to $15,000 to obtain a US tourist visa. The measure currently applies to 50 countries, including several with teams in the tournament, namely Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, the Ivory Coast and Tunisia. While FIFA is reportedly lobbying for exemptions for players, it remains unclear whether such concessions will be granted.

Additional screening measures are also under consideration. A proposal from the Department of Homeland Security would require applicants from 42 countries to provide extensive online data. “This is going to dissuade a lot of people,” Alden said. “Europeans are not going to want to give five years of social media history to the US government.”

Geopolitical considerations

US foreign policy, particularly its actions related to Iran, is adding another layer of complexity. Tehran signaled in March that its national team could boycott matches held in the United States over security concerns, though it may still participate in games hosted by Canada or Mexico if scheduling changes are made.

At the same time, instability in the Middle East has already disrupted preparations for several national teams, affecting training schedules during a critical pre-tournament period.

Security concerns are also growing. Intelligence assessments cited by Reuters on March 20 warned of an increased risk of extremist attacks targeting matches, fan zones, or transport infrastructure, as well as the possibility of civil unrest linked to immigration policies and the broader geopolitical climate.

Although the US Congress approved $625 million in security funding for host cities, officials reported delays in distributing the funds as of late March, raising concerns about preparedness.

Atmosphere inside stadiums

Travel restrictions may also influence the atmosphere within stadiums. CFR expert Ebenezer Obadare highlighted the importance of fan presence for the overall experience.

“There’s something about having your fans in the stadium, rooting for you, shouting their heads off,” he said. “At the end of the day, sports is just a spectacle. And part of that spectacle is the people in the stands. If you don’t have those people in the stands, it’s not the same thing.”

By Nazrin Sadigova