The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be a huge event. It will be co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete in 104 matches — more than any World Cup before. The excitement is building, and cities across the U.S. are getting ready to welcome fans from all over the world.
But with the big tournament only a year away, some serious questions are being asked — especially about immigration and safety in the United States. Fans, players, and human rights groups are concerned about how President Donald Trump’s immigration policies could affect the event.
A Big Celebration… and Big Concerns
This week, cities across the U.S. held events to mark the “year-to-go” countdown to the World Cup. In Los Angeles, celebrities and soccer stars were expected to walk the red carpet at a special event held at the Fox Studio Lot. New York-New Jersey, another host area, held a waterfront party near Ellis Island — a symbol of America’s long history of immigration.
But not everyone is in a party mood. Just a day before the Los Angeles event, President Trump ordered U.S. Marines and the National Guard into the city to stop protests happening there. These protests were mainly about his strict immigration policies and a new travel ban he put in place. California Governor Gavin Newsom strongly disagreed with the move, saying it was “a step toward authoritarianism.” However, Trump’s team said they were just trying to keep things under control and blamed local leaders for not doing enough.
Immigration Worries
With thousands of fans expected to travel to the U.S. for the World Cup, people are worried about how the government will treat international visitors — especially those from countries affected by Trump’s new travel ban. The ban targets people from 12 countries, including Iran, which has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Iranian leaders called the ban “hostile,” especially against Muslims.
At the New York-New Jersey event, host committee CEO Alex Lasry was asked about Vice President JD Vance’s recent comments warning travelers not to overstay their welcome. Lasry said the goal was to make sure every visitor has a great time.
“You have to understand, when you’re hosting a big event like this, the world doesn’t just stop,” he said. “Things keep happening, and we have to be able to adjust and respond to them.”
Human Rights Groups Speak Out
Human rights organizations are also paying close attention to the situation. Minky Worden, from Human Rights Watch, said that FIFA (the organization that runs the World Cup) needs to work with the U.S. government to make sure everyone — fans, staff, players, and journalists — is treated fairly and respectfully, no matter where they come from or what they believe.
Worden said FIFA should speak up and ask the U.S. to change certain policies before the World Cup begins. She warned that current immigration laws could damage the tournament’s integrity and hurt people’s rights.
Another group, the Sport & Rights Alliance, which is made up of several global non-profit organizations, shared similar concerns. They pointed out that immigration laws under President Trump could be dangerous for immigrants and visitors, and they called for improvements before the tournament begins.
The Government Responds
President Trump’s team has defended their actions. Harrison Fields, the Special Assistant to the President, said that Trump was proud to have helped bring the World Cup to the U.S. He added that the administration is working to make the games safe and secure, while still welcoming fans from around the world.
“We want people to come and enjoy America and this great sport,” said Fields. “But we will also make sure everyone is properly checked before entering the country.”
Still, many leaders in the U.S., especially from the Democratic Party, are worried. On Tuesday, some raised alarms after Trump sent Marines to Los Angeles to deal with protests. They say this is part of a growing national crisis and that people’s rights could be at risk.
Planning in Uncertain Times
Meg Kane, an executive from Philadelphia (another host city), said that planning the World Cup isn’t easy during times like this.
“There are always going to be national and international events that we can’t predict,” she told reporters. “We know that we’re planning in uncertain times, but we’re doing our best.”
Some cities are trying to reassure foreign guests and fans that they will be welcomed and safe. In Miami, host committee leader Alina Hudak said she’s been talking with local consular officials to answer their questions and calm their fears.
“My job is to make sure we’re ready,” Hudak said. “We have to be safe, we have to plan with our law enforcement teams, and we have to make sure our buses and trains can handle the crowds.”
What Does FIFA Say?
So far, FIFA hasn’t said much about these issues. They didn’t respond right away when asked for comments. But FIFA President Gianni Infantino did speak about the World Cup last month after meeting with Trump. He said he believed the U.S. would welcome the world and that everything would go smoothly — both for the 2026 tournament and this summer’s Club World Cup.
Still, the travel ban that started on Monday makes things more complicated. The new rules are meant to stop what Trump called “foreign terrorists,” but critics say the policy unfairly targets Muslims and could hurt innocent fans who just want to enjoy the game.
Fans Aren’t Changing Plans — Yet
For now, fans in Europe and other parts of the world are watching closely. Some fan groups and former players told reporters it’s still too early to change travel plans. They are hopeful that things will get better before the World Cup starts.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to be one of the biggest and most exciting sporting events ever. But as the countdown begins, the U.S. and FIFA have a lot of work to do to make sure that all fans feel safe, welcome, and respected — no matter where they come from.
