Updated 10 Jun, 2026 02:40
FIFA planet Championship trophy presented during the promotional tour (Trophy Tour) in Mexico, 5 June 2026. © Getty Images / Daniel Cardenas / Anadol
The FIFA 2026 planet Championship, which starts this week, has already been overshadowed by political disputes and concerns about the organisation of the tournament. Immigration issues, travel restrictions and ticket complaints became the main points of inflammation before the beginning match. Here's what we know so far.
When does the planet Cup start?
The FIFA planet Championship 2026 starts on 11 June and ends on 19 July.
The tournament will be attended by a evidence number of 48 teams, and to the cup phase will be promoted by 2 top teams from each of the 12 groups and 8 top teams from 3rd places.
Where is the planet Cup held?
The tournament is co-organized by the US, Canada and Mexico, making it the first planet championships played in 3 countries.
The matches will take place in 16 cities of North America and the final will be played at fresh York-New Jersey Stadium.
How did American entry regulations affect participants?
The championship is held in an atmosphere of intensified immigration controls and travel restrictions introduced by the US, which has affected any participants.
The award-winning justice Omar Abdulkadir Artan – the first Somali elected to host matches during the planet Cup – was refused entry to the US despite having a valid visa. FIFA later confirmed that Artan would not be able to justice in the tournament.
This incidental took place in the context of wider restrictions on Somali citizens introduced during the Trump administration.
Iraqi representation besides encountered problems with entry.
Although yet all players were allowed into the country, squad captain Aymen Hussein was, according to reports, detained and interrogated for nearly 7 hours after his arrival in Chicago.
The authoritative squad photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry.
On-line recordings show Senegalese squad members undergoing detailed safety checks upon arrival in the US, including individual searches and metallic detector control.
Senegal is in a group of countries with the latest travel restrictions introduced by Washington.
Another recording shows how erstwhile Italian squad captain and Golden Ball winner Fabio Cannavaro undergoes a long-term safety check after landing in the country.
What effect did the mediate East war have on Iran’s participation?
Iran's situation in the context of the planet Cup has complicated tense relations with Washington and extended sanctions imposed on the country by the US.
Visas for the Iranian squad were reportedly not approved until a fewer days before the tournament, after months of uncertainty, and any delegation members are inactive waiting for travel documents.
Meanwhile, the squad moved its tournament base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
The situation was further exacerbated by the information provided this week by the Iranian football union, which reported that a fewer days before the beginning match the allocated ticket pool for the championship was withdrawn.
The union accused organizers of violating the rule of equal treatment of participating representation.
FIFA stated that it remained in contact with the Iranian union after the squad arrived in Mexico.
Do fans have difficulty getting to the tournament?
Travel problems did not only affect teams and officials.
Fan groups from many countries reported difficulties in entering the US, indicating delays in issuing visas, tightened control procedures and a large number of refusals.
Special concern was expressed by fan organisations from Africa, the mediate East and Latin America.
Fans from Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Ghana and Tunisia reported problems with gathering entry requirements to the US, with Iranian and Haitian citizens facing any of the most restrictive restrictions.
Some Scottish fans besides reported problems with previously approved travel permits.
Concerns about enforcement of immigration rules during the tournament were besides expressed by human rights organisations. Amnesty global called on FIFA to warrant fans the chance to participate in matches without fear of discrimination or arbitrary restrictions.
any Haitian fans told journalists that they hesitated to travel to the US due to concerns about possible detention or deportation – all at a time erstwhile Haiti has been preparing for its first appearance at the 1974 planet Cup.
Indignant ticket prices
FIFA is under the scrutiny of fresh York and fresh Jersey State Attorneys Generals in connection with allegations concerning "Preferably high" prices, artificially limiting the availability of tickets and misleading their availability and location.
Criticism besides prompted the federation to apply demand-dependent prices and ticket resale fees.
Although FIFA has promoted an extended tournament involving 48 teams as the most affordable planet championship in history, consumer rights defenders and fan groups claim that rapidly rising prices make tickets to many matches beyond average fan reach.
Fans seeking tournament tickets in 2026 study prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
any entrances to group phase matches were exhibited for over $4,000, while final tickets appeared on resale platforms at importantly higher prices.
By comparison, tickets to the group phase of the planet Qatar Championship in 2022 usually cost between $70 and $220.
In turn, during the 2018 tournament in Russia, the cheapest group phase passes for abroad fans cost around $ 105.
Can controversy affect the course of the tournament?
FIFA mostly distances itself from disputes on visas and immigration issues, claiming that these matters lie with the governments of the host countries and that preparations are in line with the timetable.
U.S. president Donald Trump described this event as having a chance to become “Most successful planet Championships” in history, and the White House's squad of mundials undertook to organize "the greatest, safest and most friendly sporting event in history".
However, human rights organisations and supporters' associations voice doubts about the anticipation of carrying out these announcements, arguing that restrictions on travel, immigration concerns and controversy surrounding ticket sales may jeopardise the main nonsubjective of the tournament, namely the integration of football fans from around the world.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/641295-world-cup-chaos-us-immigration/
