World Cup 2026 : Not everyone is welcomed !

As the three-way biggest event of the year completely kicked off yesterday with the last show in Canada, everything seems to be running like clockwork.

Yet, an important obstacle has been faced by different categories of people from various backgrounds in obtaining visas. In this regard, many believe that this issue stems from the narrow relationship between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has taken a hard line on immigrants coming for the World Cup, signing a decree entitled “The Protection of the American People Against Invasion,” followed by a series of measures on immigration and travel.

These measures have mainly targeted citizens from Middle Eastern and African countries, along with heavy financial requirements and very strict control processes for people coming from 10 specific countries. This behavior fully reflects a racist and discriminatory system.

Following these intended acts, it comes as no surprise that many cases of visa refusals have been registered, as well as difficulties entering the territory, including for journalists and supporters struggling to obtain their visas. Another event that made quite a buzz was the case of a well-known Somali referee who was reportedly denied entry upon arrival at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa to participate in the competition. The same scenario was observed for several Iranian and African journalists. Furthermore, the Iranian team was forced to set up its training camp in Mexico despite playing its matches in the USA  another sign that politics is seeping into what is supposed to be a fair sporting competition, far away from politics and conflict.

However, the question that arises is how Infantino handled the situation, especially since in many of his public appearances he insists that everyone is welcome on the American continent without discrimination, stressing that no problems should be faced in this regard. Yet reality tells a very different story. What is happening now is a far cry from what was promised, and it is ultimately FIFA’s responsibility to ensure that no such discriminatory practices take place and that everyone is genuinely welcomed.

Now the football organization is facing a crisis due to the big promises that have come back to haunt it. Let us hope that this World Cup will take a better turn across different sectors.

Rasha.S