US President Donald Trump has triggered controversy after addressing the ongoing visa issues surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, clarifying who he believes should be allowed to enter the United States during the tournament.
The World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is due to begin on Thursday, 11 June. The opening match will see Mexico face South Africa at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with the tournament running through to 19 June, when the final will be staged at MetLife Stadium in New York City.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump addressed concerns about entry restrictions and security screening for visitors during the competition.
“We are working to ensure that only good people enter our country.”
His remarks immediately drew attention as the United States continues to face scrutiny over visa-related complications affecting fans, journalists and officials travelling for the tournament.
Trump also appeared to respond to wider criticism directed at the United States over organisational issues linked to the event. In comments reported by BBC Sport, he said: “I spoke to Gianni Infantino this morning. He is a great person and president, and he told me he has never seen a World Cup as successful as this one.” He added: “The 2026 World Cup will be the most successful in history.”
Growing concerns over entry restrictions
In the lead-up to the tournament, visa-related challenges have emerged as one of the most prominent concerns. Reports indicate that US authorities have denied entry to several individuals, including fans and media representatives, particularly from Africa and the Middle East.
There have also been cases where individuals who initially held valid visas were later deported. Among those affected was Somali referee Omar Artan, along with the official photographer of the Iraqi national team and other unnamed figures linked to participating teams.
These developments have raised questions about the consistency and transparency of entry procedures during a global sporting event expected to attract millions of visitors.
Teams face logistical complications
Beyond individual visa cases, some national teams have also encountered logistical difficulties.
The Iranian national team, for example, reportedly faced accommodation challenges in the United States. As a result, the squad relocated its base to Mexico. However, uncertainty remains over how the team will secure visas to enter the United States for their group-stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Iran are scheduled to play three matches in Group G, all of which involve travel into US territory, adding further complexity to their preparations.
Wider issues cloud build-up
The tournament has also been affected by a series of other pre-event complications. Ticket prices have risen sharply, alongside reports of high costs for basic items such as bottled water at venues and surrounding areas.
Security concerns have also been highlighted, including heightened inspections of some national teams, such as Uzbekistan, and incidents unrelated to official football activity. These include reports of a shooting near the England team’s accommodation and the presence of snakes near the Swiss team’s base.
Taken together, these issues have contributed to a build-up to the tournament marked by logistical, security and administrative challenges, even before a ball has been kicked.
As preparations continue, attention is expected to remain focused not only on the football itself but also on how host nations manage entry procedures, safety and infrastructure during one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
