US Cities Hosting the 2026 World Cup Scrutinised Over Trump’s Immigration Policy

As the countdown to next year’s FIFA World Cup begins, U.S. cities set to host the event faced questions concerning how to reassure international fans worried about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and travel restrictions.

The United States will co-host the finals alongside Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams and a historic 104 matches in a tournament that FIFA President Gianni Infantino claims will bring a new generation of football fans into the fold.

On the day marking one year to the event, celebrities and football stars were slated to walk the red carpet at the Fox Studio Lot in Los Angeles—one of the host cities—just a day after President Trump dispatched Marines and the National Guard to control local protests.

California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the military deployment as an “unmistakable step towards authoritarianism,” while Trump’s officials defended the action, calling the protests lawless and blaming local and state Democrats for the unrest.

Los Angeles is one of several host cities celebrating this milestone.

In New York-New Jersey, local officials and supporters gathered for a waterfront celebration against the iconic backdrop of Ellis Island.

When asked about comments made by Vice President JD Vance last month, which advised World Cup visitors not to overstay their visas, New York-New Jersey Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry replied: “Our aim is to ensure that everyone who comes to New York-New Jersey has a fantastic experience.”

“When organising major sporting events, it’s important to remember that the world continues to turn. Life doesn’t stop for these events,” Lasry stated. “We need to be adaptable and go with the flow.”

Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch, emphasised that FIFA must collaborate with the U.S. government to safeguard the rights of competitors, support staff, fans, and media, regardless of their identities or beliefs.

“FIFA must publicly recognise the risks that U.S. immigration and other anti-human rights policies pose to the tournament’s integrity and create transparent benchmarks and timelines for necessary U.S. policy changes to uphold immigrants’ rights during the 2026 World Cup and beyond,” she remarked.

The Sport & Rights Alliance, a coalition of NGOs advocating for human rights in sports, noted on Wednesday that “government policies in the 2026 host countries, especially under President Trump in the United States, present significant and immediate threats to the human rights of immigrants.”

Harrison Fields, Special Assistant to the President and Principal Deputy Press Secretary, told Reuters: “President Trump takes pride in securing our country as a host for the 2026 World Cup and looks forward to welcoming fans from around the world to celebrate America and this beloved sport.”

“The Trump Administration is committed to ensuring the entry of law-abiding fans, with a thorough vetting process to ensure these games are both secure and historic,” Fields added.

Democratic leaders in the U.S. expressed concern on Tuesday regarding a national crisis as Trump sent Marines into Los Angeles to manage civilian protests relating to his immigration stance.

“There are certainly ongoing issues at both the national and international levels, and geopolitical challenges we cannot currently foresee that may impact the tournament,” remarked Meg Kane, an executive for the Philadelphia host city, during a Paley Center event on Monday. “We acknowledge that we are planning amidst uncertainty.”

FIFA did not respond immediately to requests for comments.

INFANTINO’S ASSURANCE

Last month, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed confidence that the world would be warmly welcomed to the 2026 World Cup following a meeting with Trump, as well as for this year’s Club World Cup, scheduled from 14 June to 13 July.

However, the challenge of reassuring international visitors was complicated by a travel ban that came into force on Monday aimed at what Trump described as “foreign terrorists.”

Of the 12 countries affected by the ban, Iran is the only one that has qualified for the 2026 tournament so far. Iran’s government stated on Saturday that the ban indicated “deep animosity” towards Iranians and Muslims.

Fans, supporter groups, and former players from Europe, contacted by Reuters, indicated it was premature to consider adjusting plans or schedules for attending the World Cup.

Alina Hudak, President and CEO of the Miami host committee, informed Reuters that she had been liaising with local consular officials to address concerns and provide support.

“My responsibility is to ensure we are prepared, safe, and coordinating effectively with law enforcement agencies, making certain our public transport system is ready for the expected traffic,” Hudak explained. “While we are monitoring events outside our control, they don’t significantly affect my role.”