The World Cup's Hollow Promise: How Visa Policies Sidelined Fans and Referees The 2026 World Cup, touted as the most inclusive tournament in history, has turned out to be a stark reminder of the perils of politics driven visa policies.
Behind the scenes, FIFA's promise of welcoming the world to the global showpiece event fell flat, as fans from several countries were shut out by the Trump administration's strict immigration rules.
FIFA expanded its reach with 48 teams from 32, including smaller nations like Haiti and Cape Verde, but the United States – one of the co hosts – proved to be a major obstacle for many fans and workers.