When the United States, Mexico, and Canada unveiled their ambitious joint bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup beneath the iconic Statue of Liberty in 2017, the atmosphere was undeniably upbeat. It was a historic “United Bid” symbolizing peace, cooperation, and unity among three neighboring nations — a striking contrast to the political tensions dominating global headlines at the time.
US Soccer president Sunil Gulati, speaking from a skyscraper in Manhattan, reflected the spirit of collaboration that defined the bid. “We don’t believe sport can solve all the issues in the world,” he said, “but we believe this is a hugely positive signal and symbol of what we can do together in unifying people, especially in our three countries.”
However, eight years later, the optimism of that announcement has been met with sobering geopolitical realities. The re-election of President Donald Trump has complicated the once-celebratory mood, introducing uncertainty around the tournament’s execution, particularly regarding relations with co-hosts Mexico and Canada.
While President Trump has consistently voiced his support for the World Cup, his administration has also pursued policies that strain diplomatic ties with both Mexico and Canada. His renewed border crackdowns, protectionist trade measures, and controversial comment about Canada becoming the “cherished 51st state” have not gone unnoticed. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in March a dramatic shift in his country’s foreign policy: “The old relationship we had with the United States — based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation — is over.”
Despite mounting diplomatic friction, Trump, who maintains a friendly relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, dismissed concerns that political tensions would disrupt the tournament. “Tension’s a good thing. I think it makes it much more exciting,” he remarked in March when asked about the potential effects of trade disputes on the World Cup.
Yet, early signs of fallout are already emerging. US tourism appears to be suffering, with travel booking site Trivago reporting a significant drop in hotel searches from key countries including Japan, Canada, and Mexico. Meanwhile, US government data shows an 11.6% year-over-year decline in international visitors to the US as of March.
Still, economist Andrew Zimbalist suggests the core sporting event remains safe. “In terms of the actual playing of the games, the tariffs don’t affect athletes,” he noted. “Unless the political situation deteriorates to the point of widespread boycotts, I wouldn’t anticipate a very large impact.”
Yet, concerns persist about how the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies might impact the movement of fans between the three host countries. Instances of tourists from countries like Germany, France, Australia, and even Canada being subjected to harsh scrutiny or denied entry have raised alarm.
Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins voiced public anxiety, asking, “Will soccer fans really want to crisscross our borders right now — and be squinted at by guards simply because they speak a Romance language or risk being held on a cold floor in a detention cage?”
In response, the administration’s 2026 World Cup Task Force recently assured that all fans would be welcomed and promised a “seamless experience.” However, Vice President JD Vance, co-chair of the task force, offered a pointed caveat: “We’ll have visitors from close to 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to celebrate. But when the time is up, they’ll have to go home.”
British sports communications expert John Zerafa highlighted a potential logistical challenge — balancing Trump’s “America First” policies with the international demands of a global sporting event. Visa processing delays and travel restrictions could conflict with the need to accommodate thousands of fans. “The administration may need to short-circuit current visa wait times,” Zerafa explained. “But there’s also the MAGA agenda of closing borders. You’re letting the world in, but at the same time trying to shut it out.”
He warned that even a few denied visa applications for ticket-holding fans could spark negative headlines, damaging the public perception of the event. “Those two things are very difficult to co-exist. And which one will win the day? That’s the big question for FIFA and the US.”
