Visa wait times at American embassies in some countries are already longer than the time remaining until the tournament kicks off
The football world faces mounting uncertainty as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, with geopolitical tensions and immigration policies threatening the tournament’s unifying appeal. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the event was once heralded as a beacon of “UNITY” and “CERTAINTY,” but those ideals now appear under strain.
President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach—featuring trade disputes with Mexico and Canada, expanded border militarisation, and a sweeping travel ban—has sown doubt among fans and officials. Analysts warn that the U.S. tourism sector could lose up to $64 billion by the end of 2025 due to declining visitor confidence.
Visa delays already burden key qualifying nations: wait times at U.S. embassies such as those in Turkey and Colombia exceed the remaining lead-in time to the tournament. Although the travel ban exempts athletes and officials, it does not apply to most fans, raising concerns about access for supporters from banned countries.
FIFA has denied any relocation plans for the competition, but the success of the first-ever tri-nation World Cup hinges on resolving visa, logistics, and diplomatic challenges before June 2026.