The World Descends on an Inhospitable World Cup

2026 FIFA World Cup Faces Logistical, Visa, and Security Challenges Across Host Nations

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to set multiple records for scale. Organizers anticipate five million visitors across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, along with a global television audience of six billion people over the course of the tournament. The final match alone is expected to draw more than one billion viewers. FIFA has projected $11 billion in revenue from the event.

Ticket sales have lagged behind projections, with some observers attributing the shortfall to high prices. Several hotel blocks booked for the tournament have been released due to lower-than-expected demand. The event is also expected to set records for cost, average temperatures during matches, and total carbon emissions generated by travel and operations.

Most matches, including the final, will take place in the United States. In the months before the tournament, human rights organizations and civil society groups raised concerns about potential effects on participants and spectators related to immigration enforcement and event security measures.

President Donald Trump has appeared at related events, including the 2025 Club World Cup. Some administration-linked projects, such as Freedom 250, are involved in organizing fan zones tied to the U.S. semiquincentennial celebrations. One such zone in Washington, D.C., is scheduled to host an “America is Back” event on June 24 featuring the president.

Shaista Aziz of The Three Hijabis and the Stop Trump Coalition’s “Football Against Fascism” campaign stated that the tournament carries a high likelihood of being remembered for political developments in addition to on-field results. Nicholas McGeehan of FairSquare described efforts by political figures to associate the event with domestic policy priorities.

The United States and Israel have conducted military operations against Iran during the period leading into the tournament. Iran qualified for the World Cup and is scheduled to compete in matches hosted by the United States. Iranian national team players received U.S. visas in early June 2026. Some federation staff members were denied entry. The team is based in Mexico and subject to same-day entry and exit requirements for matches played on U.S. soil. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran reported that its ticket allocation was later revoked.

U.S. officials have stated that visas for the Iranian delegation were issued with explicit conditions against misuse for unauthorized entry. Similar entry reviews have affected other teams. Two players, one from Switzerland and one from Morocco, had visa applications initially denied before later approvals. An Iraqi player was questioned for seven hours upon arrival at Chicago O’Hare Airport. The Iraqi team photographer was denied entry on vetting grounds, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson. Teams from Senegal and Uzbekistan underwent enhanced security screening upon arrival.

FIFA referee Omar Artan of Somalia was detained for 11 hours at Miami International Airport and questioned regarding possible contacts with Al-Shabab before being denied entry, despite holding a valid visa. Somalia appears on the list of countries covered by the administration’s travel restrictions, which also affect nationals of Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and Ivory Coast. FIFA provided limited assistance to Artan after the denial.

Scottish fans reported last-minute alterations to travel authorizations, including one case in which a visa was revoked one hour before departure. Acting Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Lauren Bis stated that recent decisions reflect standard enforcement of immigration statutes.

Andrea Florence of the Sport and Rights Alliance noted that the 2026 tournament was originally intended to incorporate human rights criteria into the bidding process. Craig Foster, former Australian national team captain, observed that similar concerns have persisted across multiple host cycles. FIFA maintains a grievance mechanism for human rights complaints, though critics including Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch have stated that it receives limited promotion and is administered internally.

Department of Homeland Security officials have indicated that multiple agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will maintain a presence at stadiums. Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a prior interview that immigration enforcement remains an ongoing responsibility but is not the sole purpose of the deployment. Jennifer Li of Georgetown Law’s Center for Community Health Innovation noted that the exact scope of any enforcement activity at venues remains unclear to outside observers.

Julia Roig of the No ICE in the Cup coalition stated that uncertainty regarding agency roles has contributed to planning difficulties for local groups. FIFA has issued general statements affirming commitment to fan safety without directly addressing specific enforcement agencies.

Local organizations in host cities have developed independent guidance and contingency measures. Danny Navarro, who operates the TravelFutbolFan account, has distributed information on entry requirements and local conditions. Li coordinates Dignity 2026, a network of labor, sports equity, and civil rights groups operating through Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute. These efforts build on prior coordination among stakeholders in host cities.

The tournament will open with matches distributed across the three host countries. Security arrangements, visa processing, and crowd management protocols continue to be adjusted in the final days before the first games.