As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, organizers in various U.S. host cities, including Philadelphia, acknowledge the potential impact of geopolitical issues, including immigration policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, on the tournament.
Meg Kane, the host city executive for Philadelphia, stated during a recent meeting of the 11 U.S. host city leaders that many factors at the national and international levels could influence the event scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
“There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don’t even know right now that are going affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we’re planning within uncertainty,” Kane explained.
The upcoming World Cup will take place across 16 stadiums in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, featuring an expanded format of 48 nations competing in 104 matches. While matches from the quarterfinals onward will be held in the United States, the tournament will conclude at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Kane emphasized the need for host committees to adapt swiftly to external changes.
“I think for each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome,” she said.
She acknowledged that local organizers have no control over national policy decisions but must operate effectively amid any associated uncertainties.
The impact of President Trump’s travel ban, which restricts citizens from 12 countries, is still a point of concern. While his ban exempts athletes, coaches, staff, and their relatives, implications for fans remain unclear.
Kane noted that FIFA continues to engage with U.S. authorities to ensure visa and tourism processes are managed effectively.
FIFA is managing the World Cup without a local organizing committee in the host nation for the first time, adding another layer of complexity.
In light of these challenges, legislation pending in the Senate proposes to allocate $625 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for various costs associated with the World Cup, including security and planning measures.
Transport logistics and fan engagement remain ongoing topics of discussion among the 11 U.S. host committees, which are strategizing about transportation for teams and VIPs, as well as organizing fan festivals across the cities.
For context, the need for meticulous planning is underscored by incidents from other major tournaments. The last significant soccer event in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, experienced a delay of 82 minutes due to security breaches as fans pushed through gates.
Alina Hudak, CEO of the Miami World Cup host committee, responded to the incident, stating, “Certainly we were not involved in the planning or the logistics for that particular match.”
She assured that local police are conducting a thorough review of the after-action reports, in collaboration with the stadium, to implement necessary security enhancements to prevent similar occurrences at the World Cup.
With the 2026 tournament now just over a year away, both city officials and FIFA are working diligently to ensure the event runs smoothly while navigating the landscape of growing uncertainties.
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/world-cup-2026-immigration-crackdown/
