What Trump’s policies are doing to football sends a worrying message
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first ever to be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Their slogan was “United As One”. But the tournament is already showing how politics can get in the way of sport.
The United States is involved in a conflict with Iran, a country that has qualified for the World Cup. Instead of helping players and officials feel welcome, US authorities have made things difficult for some visitors. One example is Omar Artan of Somalia, who was named Africa’s top referee in 2025. Even though he had a valid visa and diplomatic passport, he was denied entry to the US. Officials gave only a vague explanation, saying they did not want to admit “bad actors”.
Players and referees are not the only people affected. Many football fans have also faced visa problems. Some Scottish supporters spent thousands of dollars on flights, hotels and match tickets, only to have their travel permissions cancelled. Some fans have even been careful about what they post on social media, worrying that it could affect their chances of entering the country.
This matters because the World Cup is supposed to bring people together. Football is often called the world’s game because it is played and loved by people of every race, religion and nationality. The tournament’s message is that everyone belongs.
Critics say FIFA, football’s world governing body, has not done enough to stand up for players, officials and fans facing these problems. If people cannot participate fairly in the World Cup, it raises questions about whether the tournament is truly open to all.
In the end, this issue is bigger than football. The World Cup is meant to show that everyone follows the same rules. When powerful countries appear to make exceptions for themselves, it can weaken trust in those rules. Sadly, the tournament is becoming a reminder not only of the power of football, but also of the challenges facing fairness and cooperation around the world.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
