Immigration difficulties, massive deportation raids and climate-related issues have dogged the United States, the largest of the three World Cup host nations, for most of 2025. With the first round of ticket sales surprising fans with record-high prices, the question arises: how much of the 2026 World Cup will fans actually be able to enjoy?
immigration conflict
Since Donald Trump’s return to power, the US has made entering the country a nightmare for many people.
Unexpected rejections and even detentions at the border made headlines early in the year, particularly in March when German citizens were being detained by US immigration.
The last two World Cups had a fast-track, temporary visa process, but the US has not yet offered such a program. The final tournament schedule will not be clear until the draw on December 5, leaving many fans to face a lengthy bureaucratic process before knowing whether or when their country will play.
For some people, it may already be legally impossible to participate in tournaments. At the beginning of the summer, Trump announced a new list of countries whose citizens are banned from traveling to the United States. An exception was defined for players and staff of any sports team participating in the tournament, meaning teams would be allowed in, but fans would have to remain at home.
So far, the only nation from that list that has qualified for the World Cup is Iran. But local media in Brazil have speculated that his fans may also be barred from traveling, as Trump imposes heavy sanctions on the South American country over his prosecution of former president and ideological ally Jair Bolsonaro. The World Cup is unthinkable without Brazilian fans, the only country to qualify for every edition.
mass deportation
As difficult as it may be to enter the country, it can be even more difficult to stay. For several months now, massive deportation raids have been conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the country. The targets are usually large, liberal-voting cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago. Many of these cities will be host venues for the tournament next year.
During the summer Club World Cup, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made their presence felt. In a post on Twitter, he said his officers are “suited and booted ready to provide security.” Despite quickly deleting the post, they still advised attendees to carry proof of legal status.
Although the tournament ultimately ended without any major incidents related to ICE, the statements created enough fear to keep many fans away. Should this continue next year, many fans may be discouraged from traveling.
high financial and environmental costs
In addition to these civil rights concerns comes the financial impact on fans.
The most expensive finals tickets for Qatar 2026 are almost four times more than those for Qatar 2022 – ranging from around $1,600 (€1,375) to now $6,300 (€5,400).
Prices vary for each host country’s group stage and opening matches. For example, matches played in Los Angeles and San Francisco are more expensive than those played in Dallas and Philadelphia. But despite these disparities, tickets for the group stage, which are historically the tournament’s cheapest, still cost almost three times as much as the previous edition.
With “variable-pricing” plans and resale portals with no price limits, just obtaining a ticket can cost fans hundreds to thousands of dollars. The cost of travel and accommodation in the country will make the trip even more unbearable.
As well as financial costs, it also has a huge environmental impact.
After the last World Cup was held in the small Gulf state of Qatar, this edition sees the games taking place in the three largest North American countries. This means teams and fans will have to rely primarily on air travel. The US will play its first game in Los Angeles, second in Seattle and third in LA. This nearly 2,000-mile journey is made via the most polluting means of transportation.
While car rental and ride sharing may provide a possibility for traveling fans, road traffic is expected to increase so much that it will reportedly contribute to making this World Cup a more difficult event. the most polluting ever,
Public transportation options also remain a major concern. For example, AT&T Stadium near Dallas will host the most matches of any venue, but cannot be reached by public transportation.
FIFA remains optimistic
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reassured the public that immigration issues will not be a concern.
“There is certainly a commitment from the government in the United States to make sure that the process goes smoothly, so fans from all over the world will be welcomed,” Infantino said during a press conference in August. However, he did not explain how the process would work.
FIFA media director Brian Swanson defended The ticket pricing structure states that “it is important to have a ticketing model that reflects our responsibility to provide access to fans, while also ensuring that as much value as possible is retained for redistribution into the sport around the world.”
When it comes to civil and human rights concerns, a group of 90 rights groups signed an agreement Open letter to FIFA He was asked to pay attention to the increasing abuses in the United States. No direct answer was given.