The 2026 World Cup began this week, becoming the largest World Cup in history, featuring 16 additional teams and representing 16 cities across three different countries. Large sporting events, such as the World Cup, act as powerful tools for public diplomacy to foster peace, understanding, and connection. However, this year, the tournament has become divisive. Almost 75 percent of the games for this year’s World Cup are being played in the United States, and over the last several weeks, fans, players, referees, and team officials have had their entrance into America slowed or even prevented entirely. A large majority of those denied entrance or facing entry problems originate from countries that have unstable relationships with the United States, highlighting how, this year, the tournament has become a tool for politics rather than a symbol of international unity.
At the most extreme, Somali referee Omar Artan, one of only 52 selected for the entire six week tournament, was denied entry from America. He was denied for his alleged association with “suspected members of terrorist organizations,” despite the fact that he had obtained the proper visa and was traveling on a diplomatic passport (Al Jazeera). This came on the same day that Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was allowed entry only after being held for questioning for over seven hours, while an official Iraqi photographer was denied entry after ten hours of questioning (The New York Times). Both men had their phones searched during the investigation period, a practice becoming increasingly common for those entering the U.S., for even short visits.
More examples of individuals recently denied entry include Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, who attended the opening ceremony of the tournament in Mexico but was denied a visa to enter America. Additionally, the U.S. government initiated dozens of last-minute withdrawals of visit permits for Scottish fans who had already purchased airfare, accommodation, and game tickets (Associated Press, BBC). The United States has even prevented Iran from establishing their base camp in the U.S., despite all three of their first round games taking place in America. The Iranian team will be allowed to enter the U.S. two days before each game and is required to leave again after the game, raising questions about how repeated international border crossings may disadvantage the team (BBC).
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), defended these visa denials, stating that DHS is working closely with FIFA and other foreign countries to allow as many people to enter as possible, though affirmed that some people simply cannot be cleared. He claimed that every individual denied entry was for a reason, often concerns of crime and conflicting interests; however, it is clear that a large majority of people facing barriers to entry come from countries that are not currently closely tied to American politics and diplomacy. It is hard to see these denials as anything other than a co-optation of the largest soccer tournament in the world for political gaming and messaging.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino responded to the uproar after visas began being denied, stating that “[FIFA] are not the kings of the world,” and that the organization has no control over who the U.S. chooses to allow into their country (The New York Times). This comes amid claims that Infantino’s complicity stems from his ‘coziness’ with President Donald Trump, something which may impair his objectivity or willingness to protest.
The World Cup is an opportunity for the world to come together amidst struggles and qualms to find joy as a community, united by love for an international sport. Common interest in a sport like soccer connects people who may have nothing else in common and no other opportunity to meet or learn from strangers in this way. International sporting events provide a unique opportunity for public diplomacy and a brief pause in politics for a moment of togetherness. The American denial of visas, an act with underlying political implications, hinders the potential to make the most of this opportunity, and only deepens tensions. The international community needs to do better to protest acts which promote exclusion and discrimination, and instead focus on moments of international unity and peace, bound together by love of the sport.
