FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently paraded the new World Cup trophy. He unveiled it while attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the 2026 World Cup, and anticipation for that tournament is high. Infantino went further in the press conference, emphasizing just how crucial football is as a healing, unifying force in these dark times. He stated last year that “the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”
The new tournament hasn’t come without major political hurdles, especially in the US. It’s a moment the entire nation has been clamoring for as host of a first men’s World Cup in more than fifteen years. It had last hosted the men’s tournament in 1994. The American soccer ecosystem has invested a lot of time and effort to present soccer as a fully realized, indelible part of the national fabric.
Within this context, former President Donald Trump’s administration unspooled a series of racist, anti-trans, and anti-immigrant policies that stoked fear and division. Trump has threatened to move the event if any U.S. cities will be considered too unsafe. “We’re going to move the event to some place where it’s going to be appreciated and safe,” he said last year, raising alarms about potential political interference with the World Cup.
The atmosphere is further complicated by Trump’s immigration policies, which have resulted in increased detentions of individuals without criminal records, particularly in Democratic-leaning metropolitan areas. Perhaps most importantly, ten of the eleven U.S. cities selected to host World Cup matches belong to this group. In fact, reports show that ICE custody led to 32 deaths in 2025 alone. Since the start of the crackdown, immigration officers have shot at people 19 times.
Well, now even former FIFA president Sepp Blatter is worried about traveling to the United States for the World Cup. He calls on fans to reconsider their travel plans before committing. The ongoing political climate raises questions about whether the United States can uphold its commitment as co-host without jeopardizing the safety and enjoyment of participants and spectators.
Victor Montagliani, president of CONCACAF, remarked on the global importance of football when he stated, “With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them.” Political problems can pose obstacles, but the enthusiasm for the game transcends those obstacles. Indeed, the spirit of “never say die” is at the heart of what makes competition great.
The consequences of excluding the United States as one of the three hosts for the World Cup would be earth-shattering. This circumstance will have devastating impacts on the local economies. Fans will lose the opportunity to witness a world-class international competition happening in their own backyard. Many stakeholders within U.S. soccer have invested significant resources in preparing for the tournament, making any potential withdrawal an emotional setback.
Debates over crime and polarization in our politics have reached a boiling point. In the background, Infantino’s dream of global harmony via soccer continues to percolate. The 2026 World Cup presents an opportunity for healing and connection among nations, but it must navigate a complex landscape shaped by current events.