Sports
2026 FIFA World Cup offers globe temporary fix, but not escape
The FIFA World Cup has always been more than football. Every four years, it becomes a global event capable of capturing the attention of billions and temporarily shifting the world’s focus away from its problems. As the 2026 tournament kicks off on Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca, the largest World Cup in history arrives at a moment when that distraction feels more necessary than ever.
The expanded competition, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States, will culminate on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. Over five weeks, the world will immerse itself in dramatic upsets, unforgettable goals and the emotional roller coaster that only football’s biggest stage can provide.
Yet this World Cup begins against a backdrop of war, economic uncertainty, climate anxiety and political division that extends far beyond the stadium gates.
Troubled world
As supporters flood host cities and television audiences soar into the billions, conflicts continue to shape daily life across several regions.
The war between Russia and Ukraine remains one of the defining geopolitical crises of the decade, with millions of Ukrainians displaced since the conflict began in 2022. In the Middle East, tensions involving Iran and its regional rivals continue to threaten stability and global energy supplies. The civil war in Sudan has displaced more than 12 million people, making it one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
These conflicts have consequences far beyond their borders. Disrupted trade routes, energy market volatility and rising security concerns have contributed to economic uncertainty across the globe.
The International Monetary Fund projects global economic growth of just over 3% in 2026, a modest figure by historical standards. Inflation has eased in some advanced economies, but the cost-of-living crisis remains a major concern for households worldwide. According to Ipsos’ “What Worries the World” surveys, inflation, poverty, corruption and healthcare remain among the top concerns cited by citizens across dozens of countries.
At the same time, climate challenges continue to intensify. Recent years have been the hottest ever recorded globally. North America has experienced devastating wildfires, Europe has endured record-breaking heat waves, and prolonged droughts have affected agricultural production in multiple regions. The United Nations continues to warn that climate-related disasters are displacing millions and placing increasing pressure on governments and economies.
Against this backdrop, the World Cup offers something increasingly rare: a chance for people to focus on something other than crisis.
Unifying power
Few events on Earth can command the attention of humanity like the World Cup.
The 2022 tournament in Qatar attracted billions of viewers worldwide, while the final between Argentina and France became one of the most-watched sporting events in history. When Argentina lifted the trophy after an unforgettable penalty shootout, an estimated five million people flooded the streets of Buenos Aires in celebration.
Those scenes illustrated football’s unique power.
For a few hours, nationality, religion, political affiliation and social status become secondary. A goal scored in Mexico City sparks celebrations in Los Angeles. Fans in Lagos debate tactics with supporters in London. Social media fills with the same clips, the same arguments and the same moments of joy or heartbreak.
The World Cup creates a rare form of global synchronization. Billions of people experience the same emotions at the same time.
This year’s expanded format could make that effect even stronger. Nations that historically struggled to qualify now have a place on football’s biggest stage. More countries mean more stories, more representation and more communities invested in the tournament.
The American challenge
The 2026 World Cup is also unique because it unfolds amid growing debate over immigration and border policies in one of its host nations.
Recent reports of visa delays, heightened scrutiny at ports of entry and travel restrictions affecting supporters from several countries have generated concern among fans and advocacy groups. Some organizations have warned that stricter immigration enforcement could discourage attendance from certain communities.
One of the most widely discussed incidents involved Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been selected for World Cup duty before reportedly being denied entry into the United States and removed from FIFA’s referee roster. The case intensified scrutiny of how immigration policies could intersect with a tournament built on international participation.
Supporters from countries facing visa restrictions or higher rejection rates have also expressed concerns about their ability to attend matches despite securing tickets.
For FIFA, the challenge is balancing security requirements with the tournament’s core principle of inclusivity. The governing body has repeatedly emphasized that the World Cup is intended to welcome the world.
Historical significance
This is not the first World Cup to take place during uncertain times.
The 1998 World Cup in France unfolded amid intense debates about immigration and national identity. France’s multicultural squad, led by Zinedine Zidane, became a symbol of unity after winning the country’s first title.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa carried significance far beyond football. It represented the first World Cup held on African soil and was widely viewed as a celebration of the country’s transformation after apartheid.
The 2018 World Cup in Russia became a showcase of soft power, while the 2022 tournament in Qatar generated worldwide discussions about migrant workers, labor rights and the responsibilities of major sporting events.
Every World Cup reflects the era in which it is played.
The 2026 edition is no different.
A temporary therapy for a tired planet
The truth is that football cannot solve wars. It cannot lower inflation, stop wildfires or bridge every political divide.
What it can do is provide psychological relief.
For one month, conversations that normally revolve around conflict and uncertainty will shift toward tactics, star players and underdog stories. Families will gather around televisions. Cities will organize fan festivals. Colleagues will pause meetings to check scores.
Sports psychologists have long noted the emotional benefits of collective sporting experiences. Shared victories create a sense of belonging. Shared heartbreak builds community. In difficult times, those feelings matter.
That is why the World Cup often feels like therapy for a weary world.
Post final whistle
Eventually, the tournament will end.
A champion will be crowned. The celebrations will fade. The packed stadiums will empty.
Then the world will return to reality.
Governments will continue grappling with wars, economic pressures and climate challenges. Debates over immigration, security and globalization will persist. The issues that existed before kickoff will still be waiting after the final whistle.
But perhaps that is not the point.
The World Cup’s greatest value lies not in solving problems but in reminding people what remains possible. On the pitch, 48 nations will compete fiercely under a common set of rules. Off the pitch, billions will share the same moments of excitement, tension and joy.
In a world increasingly defined by division, that may be the tournament’s most important lesson.
For five weeks, football will offer humanity a brief opportunity to breathe.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday to a hero’s reception after being denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup, a decision that ended his historic debut on football’s biggest stage and ignited criticism over visa restrictions and tournament access.
Artan, 2025’s Confederation of African Football Men’s Referee of the Year and the first Somali official selected for a FIFA World Cup roster, was turned away at Miami International Airport on Saturday after traveling from Istanbul.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said he was deemed inadmissible due to “vetting concerns,” later clarified by a State Department official as alleged links to suspected members of terrorist organizations, without providing further details.
The denial triggered immediate fallout.
FIFA removed Artan from its 52-referee list for the tournament, which is set to open Thursday across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Somalia’s football authorities said they had attempted unsuccessfully to intervene with both FIFA and U.S. officials after his visa had already been issued through the Somali Embassy in Kenya.
The Trump administration confirmed the decision this week, adding to wider scrutiny of immigration controls affecting nearly 40 countries under expanded travel restrictions. The case drew attention not only because of Artan’s profile, but also because he had already been formally appointed by FIFA and was expected to join officials in Miami for pre-tournament preparations.
In Mogadishu, the response was immediate and emotional. Hundreds of supporters, government officials and members of the football community gathered at Aden Adde International Airport hours before his arrival on a Turkish Airlines flight. As he stepped out, he was draped in the Somali flag, escorted through tight crowds, and taken to a VIP reception area where officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Somalia Football Federation greeted him.
Artan struck a calm tone despite the setback, framing the incident as something beyond his control.
“What happened has happened and it was fate,” he said, thanking FIFA for its backing and urging Somalis to remain resilient. “Somalia is ours, whether things are good or bad. That flag belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us.”
He added that his ambitions remained unchanged, saying he intended to return to the global stage at the next World Cup in 2030 and encouraging young Somalis not to lose confidence in their country or their future.
“I will be at the next one,” he said. “Despite what has happened, I am not discouraged.”
Officials in Mogadishu expressed anger and disappointment over the decision. Mohamed Said, a government official who attended the airport reception, said the ruling had wider implications beyond sport, calling it deeply unjust.
Artan’s exclusion also drew attention from global health and sports figures. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media that his achievement in reaching the top level of refereeing “stands no matter what,” adding that his presence on the FIFA list had already inspired a generation.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier described Artan as a national symbol of progress and possibility in a country still rebuilding after decades of conflict and the continuing threat of the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino warned Tuesday that Los Angeles was about to be flooded with football fans from across the globe as he helped kick off World Cup celebrations at a star-studded event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Speaking ahead of this week’s opening matches, Infantino said the city would soon become a focal point of the football world during the expanded 48-team tournament, which gets underway in Mexico City on Thursday before Los Angeles stages its first World Cup match on U.S. soil Friday.
“You will be invaded,” Infantino told the crowd.
“You will be invaded by a horde of barbarians. But it’s happy barbarians, don’t worry.”
The event drew entertainment and sports figures, including actors Will Ferrell and Brendan Hunt, singer Lance Bass, former NBA player Robert Horry, and U.S. football greats Mia Hamm and Cobi Jones.
‘Unite the world’
Infantino said the tournament would turn Los Angeles and other host cities into a sea of national colors as fans of all ages arrive in jerseys, flags and face paint.
“Men, women, children, grandparents, doesn’t matter, they will all have their faces colored with the colors of their countries,” he said.
“They will just want to enjoy and have fun because that’s what we want to do with the World Cup. We want to unite the world.”
The tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the first to feature 48 national teams. Infantino said a quarter of the world’s countries would be represented on the field, while billions more would follow the tournament globally.
“This is not just a World Cup,” he said. “This will be the biggest and greatest FIFA World Cup in history.”
Los Angeles in the spotlight
Los Angeles is scheduled to host eight matches, along with fan festivals and 10 fan zones across the area. Infantino thanked local organizers for staging the events, saying the city’s role reflected its standing as “the capital of entertainment in the world.”
The United States will open its campaign Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood against Paraguay after an opening ceremony featuring musical performances by Katy Perry, Future and Anitta.
Infantino likened the scale of the tournament to staging “104 Super Bowls” over a little more than a month, referring to the total number of matches across the three host countries.
“For the next month and a half, we can call it football or football, as long as we enjoy and have fun,” he said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to open on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is facing growing off-field turbulence as visa delays, entry refusals, and heightened security checks affect several participating nations and officials.
While the expanded 48-team format marks a historic milestone, the lead-up has been defined as much by administrative friction as sporting preparation.
At the center of the controversy is the tension between host-nation security policy and the expectations of a global tournament built on open participation.
Teams from Iran, Iraq, Senegal, and Uzbekistan, along with match officials, have reported significant complications entering the United States.
FIFA has maintained that immigration matters fall under sovereign control of host governments, a stance that has drawn criticism from affected delegations.
Iran forced into relocation
The most disruptive case involves Iran, which has faced extended visa reviews for its World Cup delegation.
While players and key staff, including head coach Amir Ghalenoei, were eventually granted entry, around 13 administrative and technical personnel were denied visas.
The disruption forced Iran to shift its pre-tournament training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, placing the squad outside the United States despite being scheduled to play group-stage matches there against Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand in Group G.
Officials in Iran have described the process as politically driven and disruptive, while U.S. authorities have pointed to standard security vetting procedures.
The relocation has complicated logistics, with the team required to cross into the United States for matches despite training outside the host country.
Iraqi forward detained
For Iraq, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, the focus has been overshadowed by a high-profile airport incident involving striker Aymen Hussein.
Upon arrival at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Hussein was reportedly detained and questioned for nearly seven hours, with his mobile phone inspected during the process. Team officials described the episode as deeply unsettling for a squad preparing for its long-awaited return to the global stage.
In a separate case, the team’s official photographer was held for more than 10 hours before being denied entry and sent back. The incidents have added pressure to a group already under scrutiny ahead of its tournament opener.
Somali referee chaos
One of the most significant officiating setbacks involves Omar Artan, who was selected by FIFA as one of the match officials for the tournament and was set to become the first referee from Somalia at a World Cup.
Artan, who arrived in Miami after being named CAF Referee of the Year in 2025, was denied entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over what officials described as vetting concerns.
He was subsequently sent back, reportedly to Türkiye, and will not take part in the tournament.
The decision has intensified debate over how travel restrictions and security policies intersect with FIFA’s global officiating appointments.
Senegal and Uzbekistan’s screening
Delegations from Senegal and Uzbekistan have also encountered rigorous security procedures upon arrival in the United States.
Senegalese players underwent detailed individual checks at airport terminals, while Uzbekistan’s squad was subjected to enhanced security protocols, including police dog inspections during a pre-tournament camp and friendly schedule in New York.
While such measures are consistent with large-scale event security, they have been widely circulated on social media and interpreted by some observers as uneven in their application.
Consistency and access
The incidents come amid broader scrutiny of U.S. immigration policy and its application to international sporting delegations.
Although exemptions exist for athletes and officials, implementation has varied, creating uncertainty for teams arriving in the final days before the tournament.
FIFA has reiterated that it does not oversee visa decisions but has faced criticism for not applying stronger pressure to ensure smoother entry processes for all participants.
The concerns now extend beyond logistics, raising questions about competitive fairness and the inclusivity of a tournament designed to bring together 48 nations.
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has launched both civil and criminal legal action in France against football’s governing body FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino, over corruption allegations raised in 2015 that derailed his bid to lead the organization.
A criminal complaint filed in Paris accuses Infantino, former FIFA legal director Marco Villiger and former FIFA audit committee chairman Domenico Scala of malicious prosecution and influence peddling.
Platini has also filed a separate civil lawsuit against FIFA, seeking full financial compensation for what he claims were internal efforts aimed at preventing his election as FIFA president more than a decade ago.
The case stems from events in late 2015, when details emerged of a payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.51 million) made to Platini by FIFA. The payment was authorized in 2011 by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Subsequent ethics bans sidelined the former France captain and cleared the way for Infantino, then UEFA general secretary under Platini, to win the FIFA presidency in early 2016.
Platini’s legal action in France follows his and Blatter’s acquittal by a Swiss federal criminal appeals court on March 25, 2025. The ruling cleared them of fraud and forgery charges, and the acquittal became final in September of that year.
The 70-year-old Platini said after the acquittal that he believed the case had been intended to prevent him from becoming FIFA president, adding that he was now too old to return to football.
Under the complaint, French investigators have been asked to examine the conduct of FIFA officials and whether Swiss prosecutors improperly coordinated with the governing body during the original criminal investigation.
FIFA has previously denied any wrongdoing in its handling of the 2015 case.
FIFA was not immediately available for comment.
Donald Trump was met with loud boos inside Madison Square Garden on Monday night when he appeared on the video boards during the national anthem before Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Trump was shown briefly saluting in a military gesture as the crowd reaction intensified. The boos faded as the display cut to the U.S. flag, while the atmosphere shifted to cheers when New York Knicks players appeared on screen. Mentions of the San Antonio Spurs drew another wave of loud jeers from sections of the crowd.
Trump attended the game from the suite of Knicks owner James Dolan, alongside his granddaughter Kai, political adviser Boris Epshteyn, and Cabinet officials Lee Zeldin, Sean Duffy and Doug Burgum. It marked the first time a sitting U.S. president attended an NBA Finals game.
He arrived via Marine One from his residence in New Jersey, landing near Wall Street before a motorcade carried him through Manhattan to the arena about an hour before tipoff. Along the route, some onlookers made rude gestures, and a small group near the venue held signs reading “Trump must go.”
He later settled into Dolan’s suite shortly after arriving.
In the hours before Trump’s arrival, the New York Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service established a large perimeter around Madison Square Garden. Fans lined up more than four hours before tipoff in scenes that resembled New Year’s Eve in Times Square more than a typical NBA Finals buildup.
Fans were required to show tickets or passes at multiple checkpoints and pass through Transportation Security Administration-style magnetometers. Secret Service personnel and police were stationed throughout the area, while commuters, tourists and fans moved through heavy restrictions as security tightened around the arena.
Knicks fan Greg Weldon, who traveled from Florida for the game, said the biggest issue was confusion.
“We’ve asked so many cops, Secret Service agents, guys with machine guns, what to do, where we should go,” he said. “Nobody knows.”
Knicks coach Mike Brown and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson downplayed any concerns about disruptions caused by the heightened security.
“There’s a lot going on, and I’d much rather be a part of it than not,” Johnson said.
With security increased, a planned watch party outside the arena was canceled, and fans were barred from bringing bags into the Garden. Crowds had gathered near the venue throughout the playoffs as the Knicks won 13 straight games to reach the Finals for the first time since 1999 and move within two wins of their first NBA title since 1973.
“We are looking forward to bringing back watch parties for Game 4,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. “New Yorkers are used to presidents coming to town, and they understand that it generally means lockdowns of certain areas. That’s what you’re going to see tonight at the Garden.”
Trump’s attendance marked another major sporting event during his presidency, with security measures again creating disruptions for fans.
Thousands of spectators missed the start of last year’s U.S. Open men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner because of long security lines. Even though the U.S. Tennis Association delayed the start by 30 minutes, many fans still struggled to enter Arthur Ashe Stadium due to repeated screening checkpoints.
Federal law enforcement officials have reviewed Trump’s security posture following three recent incidents: a shooting at a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania; the discovery of a man armed with a rifle while Trump played golf in West Palm Beach, Florida, later that year; and a recent security scare at a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
Asked Sunday about Trump attending, Knicks center Mitchell Robinson said: “Cool, I guess. We can still get out there and play no matter who’s here.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other dignitaries also attended the game.
Ticket prices made access difficult for many fans, with entry costs exceeding $5,000 and premium seats reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Mamdani said he purchased a standing-room-only ticket for about $1,000 directly from Madison Square Garden.
The scarcity of in-person access pushed more fans into bars, streets and public viewing areas across the city. A planned watch party near the arena was relocated to Bryant Park due to security restrictions.
“We improvise,” Knicks guard Jose Alvarado said. “We’re New Yorkers. We find a way to watch a game, and that’s what we do.”
The Turkish national football team’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup were briefly interrupted after a police motorcycle officer escorting the squad’s convoy was involved in a traffic accident following training in Arizona.
The incident occurred as Türkiye’s players and staff were traveling from the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, their World Cup training base, to their hotel. The team was being transported in two buses accompanied by a police escort when one of the motorcycle officers riding with the convoy crashed on a highway route.
Authorities said the officer suffered minor injuries.
The accident forced the convoy to stop for approximately 15 minutes while emergency crews responded to the scene. Local police temporarily halted traffic in the area to secure the roadway, allowing firefighters and paramedics to reach the injured officer.
Members of the Turkish delegation reportedly left their vehicles during the delay and offered assistance as first responders administered treatment at the scene.
Fortunately, no players, coaches, or team officials were involved in the accident, and the officer’s injuries were not considered serious.
After emergency personnel completed their work and authorities determined the area was safe, the convoy resumed its journey and the team arrived at its hotel without further incident.
The unexpected delay came during a crucial phase of Türkiye’s preparations for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2002. The team is currently based at the sprawling Arizona Athletic Grounds, a 275-acre sports complex in Mesa that serves as its primary training headquarters in the United States ahead of the tournament.
Türkiye arrived in Arizona after completing an earlier stage of its preparations in Miami and has been greeted enthusiastically by local supporters throughout its stay. Fans gathered upon the team’s arrival in Mesa, highlighting the excitement surrounding the nation’s return to football’s biggest stage after a 24-year absence.
Despite the accident, team activities were unaffected, and preparations continued as scheduled.
Authorities have not released details regarding the cause of the crash. As is customary in incidents involving law enforcement personnel, local officials are expected to conduct a routine investigation.
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