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US Immigration Policies, Visas, and Logistical Disruptions Impact 2026 World Cup Participants

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The 2026 World Cup: Immigration Challenges, Logistical Setbacks, and Human Rights Concerns

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 11, and run through July 19. Multiple reports detail a range of immigration and logistical challenges affecting participating teams, officials, and fans, primarily related to U.S. entry policies. Incidents include visa denials for referees and team staff, relocation of national teams, and a reported theft of England's equipment.

Immigration and Visa Issues

Denied Entry for Officials and Staff

Somali Referee: Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a FIFA World Cup referee from Somalia, was denied entry to the U.S. at Miami International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited "vetting concerns." A U.S. official subsequently linked Mr. Artan to "association with suspected members of terror organizations," without providing public evidence.

Iraqi Team Staff: A photographer for the Iraqi national team was denied entry at Chicago O'Hare International Airport due to "vetting concerns." One player was questioned but allowed entry.

Iranian Team Staff: Iran accused the U.S. of denying visas to 15 "integral" backroom staff members. The Iranian embassy in Turkey accused the U.S. of "politically biased interference in sport" and violating FIFA regulations.

Palestinian FA President: Jibril Rajoub stated he was refused visas for the U.S. and Canada to attend World Cup events, but attended the opening ceremony in Mexico. He claimed Israeli pressure was behind the denial.

Team Relocation and Restrictions

Iranian National Team: The Iranian national team was required to relocate its lodging from a training camp in Arizona to Mexico. The U.S. government stated that players and staff were banned from staying overnight in the U.S. Visas for players were approved, but over a dozen support staff, including federation president Mehdi Taj, did not receive approval. The team is permitted to enter via Tijuana, Mexico, for matches within a 24-hour window.

Fan Visa Denials

"A World Cup of exclusion rather than inclusion." — Professor Jules Boykoff

  • Moroccan Fans: More than 40 members of Moroccan football supporter associations have been denied U.S. visas to attend the tournament, according to Moroccan news website Hespress.
  • Senegal and Ivory Coast Fans: The Trump administration announced a ban affecting travel plans for fans from Senegal and Ivory Coast, effective for those without existing visas. The ban cited "screening and vetting deficiencies."
  • Iran and Haiti Fans: Fans from Iran and Haiti, both qualified nations, are also barred from entering the U.S. due to prior iterations of the travel ban.
  • Scottish Fans: Fans from Scotland reported denied or revoked travel documents days before travel.

Player Visa Denial

Thomas Partey: Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, facing rape charges in the UK, was denied a visa by Canadian authorities and will miss Ghana's World Cup opener against Panama. He is expected to be eligible for subsequent matches in the U.S.

Travel Bans and Border Policies

  • The U.S. under the Trump administration has implemented travel bans on 39 countries; for 19 of those, visa issuance has been suspended. Four countries on the ban lists—Iran, Haiti, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal—are qualified for the World Cup.
  • CBP stated that all travelers are subject to inspection and vetting, and admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Previous host nations Russia and Qatar eased entry for fans (Russia required a passport and Fan ID; Qatar required a Hayya card). In the U.S., fans have reported barriers that discourage travel, according to Thomas Concannon of the Football Supporters' Association (FSA).

UN Human Rights Concerns

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a "massive rethink" of immigration policies, particularly in the United States, citing issues of racial profiling, surveillance, and immigration enforcement related to the World Cup. He stated a hope that these issues would not affect the tournament, and emphasized that global sports should be "where the world comes together in unity and in peace." He called for a "dignified and safe environment" for teams, supporters, and society.

FIFA Responses and Policies

  • FIFA stated that it is not involved in host country immigration processes and that the host government determines visa and admission decisions.
  • FIFA's 2017 bidding rules stated visa processing must be non-discriminatory but subject to national immigration and security standards.
  • FIFA has aligned with UN guiding principles on business and human rights for its tournaments.
  • FIFA President Gianni Infantino has built closer ties to U.S. officials in recent months.
  • FIFA has been unable to obtain entry for all its referees.

Statements from Officials and Figures

"Stay away from the USA!" — Mark Pieth, Swiss lawyer, on proposed fan boycott

  • Andrew Giuliani (White House Task Force for World Cup): Said the denial of referee Artan was "for very good reasons," without further explanation.
  • FIFA: Stated that it is not involved in host country immigration processes.
  • Sepp Blatter (Former FIFA President): Supported a proposed fan boycott of U.S. matches, endorsing comments by Swiss lawyer Mark Pieth, who advised fans to "Stay away from the USA!" due to policies of the Trump administration.
  • Oke Göttlich (Vice-president, German soccer federation): Indicated that a boycott of the World Cup should be seriously considered.
  • Mark Pieth (Swiss lawyer): Stated in an interview that fans might be sent home upon arrival if they do not meet official approval.
  • Jules Boykoff (Professor and author): Expressed concern that Trump administration policies make the World Cup "a World Cup of exclusion rather than inclusion."
  • David Niven (University of Cincinnati professor): Called the immigration issues a "self-inflicted wound."

Logistical Incident: England Team Equipment Theft

England's World Cup preparations were disrupted when a van transporting players' boots, official tournament balls, and training equipment was stolen en route from West Palm Beach, Florida to the Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City, Missouri. Security staff suspect drivers may have been involved. Local police are investigating. The team is scheduled to train at the new base on Saturday afternoon local time. Sources indicate just one football remained among the cargo. Boots belonging to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, analysis equipment, manager Thomas Tuchel's whiteboards, and massage tables were also among the stolen items.

Additional Tournament News

  • Ticket Prices: Empty seats were visible at the South Korea vs. Czechia match in Guadalajara, despite FIFA reporting 44,985 attendance. Lower-tier seats cost US$500. FIFA attributed empty seats to fans standing in concourses.
  • Infantino on Italy: FIFA President Gianni Infantino joked that Italy might qualify if the World Cup expands to 64 teams.
  • Bellingham on Team Culture: Jude Bellingham stated that at Euro 2024, the England squad did not connect as well as it could have, and emphasized the need for every player to feel loved.