Trump policies could have repercussions on the World Cup

Less than a year from the 2026 Soccer World Cup. Furthermore, political tensions and American politics threaten to pose problems while Canada, the United States and Mexico are preparing to welcome the tournament.

The World Cup of the FIFA of next year will be the largest ever organized. For example, The three countries will welcome a record number of 48 teams. Meanwhile, Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 games, including six in Toronto and seven in Vancouver.

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Millions of Soccer supporters will cross the borders to attend the matches. In addition, The severe immigration policies of US President Donald Trump – which include prohibitions for traveling from certain countries. In addition, immigration descents and mass deportations – generate anxiety.

All this is guided by the United States. Consequently, we are the guilty partsaid Victor Mathesonprofessor at College of Holy Cross in the Massachusetts who specializes in sport economics.

We could have significant immigration trump policies could have repercussions problems with supporters and players who cross bordershe explained in an interview.

Since June 9, 2025, the United States has limited the entry into its territory of nationals of certain countries. Similarly, Canadian citizens. In addition, including those who have double citizenship and traveling with a Canadian passport are not affected by this proclamation, according to the Canadian government.

Although there are exemptions for athletes. Furthermore, staff and families, the unpredictability of the administration Trump means that no one knows with certainty what kind of rules could be in place when the tournament begins.

The economist Andrew Zimbalistwhich wrote a book on the economic aspects of the organization of the World Cup. Meanwhile, said that Trump had the ability to make people difficult for traveling, but it is not clear if it really will.

I think that probably trump policies could have repercussions Trump himself might not have the answers because […] It responds very impulsively to changes in its environmenthe said.

Concerns concerning visas. Similarly, political opposition to the president Trump Could bring some supporters of Soccer not to attend at all, while others could choose to attend the played parties in Canada, suggested Mr. Zimbalist. However, he pointed out that semi-finals and the final will take place in the United States.

A Canadian heritage spokesperson said Canada could accommodate one million international visitors during the tournament.

Given the trinational nature of the event. international and national travelers are expected to go back and forth between Canada and the United States. Emphasis will continue to be placed on traffic flow, travelers safety and border securityhe said.

At the Canada Border Services Agency (ASFC). the agency is ensured in close collaboration with federal trump policies could have repercussions ministries, host cities and the FIFA in security planning for this international event.

For the professor Victor Mathesonsupporters – in particular those of countries targeted by the president Trump – have good reasons to be worried.

I would be very concerned about vacation planning that make you travel from Mexico. Canada to the United States and vice versa. I don’t think it is possible to guarantee the holidays of a lifetimehe said.

He said that it is one thing to be denied entry. another to meet in prison and to be expelled, potentially towards a prison in Salvador.

No one wants to go to the World Cup trump policies could have repercussions to watch football matches. meet in prison.

Threats from administration Trump To impose customs duties on products from a large part of the world, including Canada, could also affect the World Cup.

M. Matheson gave the example of a person who manufactures jerseys for the team of a country. who would like to send these jerseys on the other side of the border with the team.

Prices make this type of inventory management quite difficulthe said.

Elclombe team is a university professor Wilfrid Laurierand its areas of expertise include sport, politics and international affairs. He said that it felt that holding the event in Canada. the United States and Mexico would be almost a bit like a appeasement in politicianswhile trump policies could have repercussions the Cup returned to Western countries.

Instead, the 2026 tournament could be even more politically loaded than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to him.

Canada coorganizes one of the largest sporting events in the world with a country whose president has sparked a trade war. threatened with annexation. Canadians have reduced their trips to the United States. stopped buying American products and we don’t know what it could mean for the World Cup.

Although Vancouver and Toronto welcome a few games, It is really a competition centered on Americanslove M. Elcombe.

At the beginning of July. union and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watchwrote to the president of the FIFA Gianni Infantino to tell him that US Trump administration policies trump policies could have repercussions are a serious threat For individuals, especially non-citizens.

The letter accused the FIFA ignore Clear evidence of significant deterioration in the climate of rights in the United States.

Canada will have to be ready to take a very critical look at some of the problems that arise in Canada from the point of view of human rights. because I think they will be exposedsaid Elclombe teamgiving the example of relations between Canada and Aboriginal peoples.

MacIntosh Rossa member of the center Scott McCain et Leslie McLean For sport. business and health at university Saint Mary’sin Halifax, said that Canada should put pressure on the US government To ensure that things happen safely trump policies could have repercussions or at least as secure as possible.

Canadian organizers. the Canadian government must be very clear about their expectations vis-à-vis their partners in this World Cup, reiterate them and assert them again and againhe said.

M. Elcombe noted that the president of the FIFA Gianni Infantino. here he is very well established as ani and supporter of the president Trumpcould be a key player to determine how the coming months will take place.

It is difficult to predict what the American president could do, said Mr. Zimbalist. If there are political problems in the United States he wants to distract people. You can see him do more and more crazy things internationally so that people do not think trump policies could have repercussions of what is really going on.

The president Trump However, has shown that he cares about the soccer World Cup and appear by welcoming the tournament.

I think he cares about the image. that he cares about being in the foreground on the world scenesaid Mr. Zimbalist. It is an important deterrence, in fact.