World Cup: Donald Trump’s policies could have repercussions

Less than a year from the 2026 Soccer World Cup, political tensions and American politics are threatening to cause problems while Canada, the United States and Mexico are preparing to co-organize the tournament.

The FIFA World Cup of next year will be the largest ever organized. Nevertheless, with the three countries welcoming a record number of 48 teams. In addition, Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 games, most of them in the United States.

With millions of soccer supporters supposed to cross the borders to attend matches. Moreover, the severe immigration policies of US President Donald Trump – who include travel prohibitions from certain countries, immigration descents and mass deportations – generate anxiety.

“All this is guided by the United States. Consequently, we are the guilty part here,” said Victor Matheson, professor at the College of Holy world cup: donald trump’s policies Cross in the Massachusetts who specializes in sport economics.

“We could have significant immigration problems with fans and players who cross borders,” he said in an interview.

Since June 9, 2025, the United States has limited the entry into its territory of nationals of certain countries. Therefore, Canadian citizens. Meanwhile, including those who have double citizenship and traveling with a Canadian passport are not affected by this proclamation, according to the Canadian government.

Although there are exemptions for athletes. Consequently, staff and families, the unpredictability of the Trump administration means that no one knows with certainty what kind of rules could be in place when the tournament begins.

Economist Andrew Ziminalist. For example, who wrote a book on the economic aspects of the World Cup organization, said Trump had the ability to make people to travel, but it is not clear if it really will.

“I think that probably Trump world cup: donald trump’s policies himself might not have the answers because (…) he responds very impulsively to changes in his environment,” he said.

The concerns about visas. Nevertheless, the political opposition to President Trump could lead some supporters not to attend at all, while others could rather choose the parties disputed in Canada, Ziminalist suggested. However, he pointed out that semi-finals and the final will take place in the United States.

A Canadian heritage spokesperson said Canada could accommodate one million international visitors during the tournament.

“Given the trinational nature of the event. Nevertheless, international and national travelers are expected to go back and forth between Canada and the United States. Emphasis will continue to be placed on traffic flow, traveler security and border security, “he said.

At the Canada Border Services Agency (ASFC). the agency is assumed to work closely with federal ministries, host cities and FIFA “in security planning for this international world cup: donald trump’s policies event”.

For Professor Victor Matheson. fans – in particular those of countries targeted by President Trump – have good reasons to be worried.

“I would be very concerned about the vacation planning that make you travel from Mexico. Canada to the United States and vice versa. I don’t think it is possible to guarantee the holidays of a life, “he said.

He said that it is one thing to be denied the entrance. another to be in prison and to be expelled – potentially towards a prison in Salvador.

For Mr. Matheson. it is clear that “nobody wants to go to the World Cup to watch football matches and meet in prison”.

Threats from the Trump administration to impose customs duties on products from a large part of the world. including Canada, could also affect the World Cup.

Mr. Matheson gave the example of a person who manufactures jerseys for world cup: donald trump’s policies the team of a country. who would like to send these jerseys on the other side of the border with the team.

“Prices make this type of inventory management quite difficult,” he said.

Tim Elcombe is a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, and his areas of expertise include sport, politics and international affairs. He said “that it was impression that holding the event in Canada. the United States and Mexico would be almost a bit like a appeasement in politicians”, while the Cup returned to Western countries.

Instead, the 2026 tournament could be even more politically loaded than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to him.

Canada coorganizes one of the largest sporting events in the world with a country whose president has sparked a trade war. threatened with annexation. Canadians have reduced their trips to the United States. stopped buying American products-and we don’t know what it could world cup: donald trump’s policies mean for the World Cup.

Although Vancouver and Toronto welcome a few games, “this is really a competition centered on the Americans,” said Elcombe.

At the beginning of July. union and human rights groups, including Human Rights Watchwrote to the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino to tell him that the American policies of the Trump administration constitute a “serious threat” for individuals, in particular non-citizens.

The letter accused FIFA of ignoring “clear evidence of the significant deterioration of the climate of rights in the. United States”.

“Canada will have to be ready to take a very critical look at some of the problems in Canada from the point of view of human rights. because I think they will be exposed,” said Tim Elcombe, giving the example of the relations between Canada and the Aboriginal peoples.

Macintosh Ross. a member of the Scott McCain Center and Leslie McLean for sport, business world cup: donald trump’s policies and health at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, said Canada should put pressure on the US government “to make sure that things are happening safely or at least as security as possible”.

“Canadian organizers. the Canadian government must be very clear about their expectations vis-à-vis their partners in this World Cup, reiterate and assert them again and again,” he said.

Mr. Elcombe noted that the president of FIFA Gianni Infantino. who “established himself very well as an Imi and Support for President Trump”, could be a key player to determine how the coming months will take place.

It is difficult to predict what the American president could do, underlined Mr. Zimbalist. If there are political problems in the United States whose people he wants to distract. “you can see him do more and more crazy things internationally so that people do not think about what is really going on. »»

world cup: donald trump’s policies

President Trump, however, has shown that he cares about the Soccer World Cup and appear well by welcoming the tournament.

“I think he cares about the image. that he cares about being in the foreground on the world scene,” said Ziminalist. “It is an important deterrence, in fact. »»