Troubled 2026 FIFA World Cup Looms

At the first meeting of the so-called Board of Peace, Gianni Infantino – yep, for some reason, he is a member – donned a MAGA-style red cap emblazoned with the letters USA, and laughed. Less than two weeks later, the USA, the principal host nation of FIFA’s World Cup, bombed one of the 48 nations taking part.

This is the same Infantino who recently handed a ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ to Donald Trump. If this was not so scary, it would be amusing, in an ironic way, of course.

But for FIFA and every one of the associations scheduled to be represented at World Cup 2026, this is – forgive the word – deadly serious. The build-up to the past two World Cups, in Qatar and Russia, have been politically charged but this impending tournament is being clouded by unprecedented problems.

Where do you start? Trump, who has promised to be a highly visible part of the World Cup, has fallen out with Canada over trade tariffs.

FIFA have come under fire for their ticket pricing policy. One of the host cities, Guadalajara, has been beset by brutal narco-violence four months before kick-off.

And last week, the BBC reported that officials were warned there could be catastrophic consequences if the 11 US cities hosting matches do not receive funding that has been frozen amid a partial government shutdown. Now, the United States is bombing Iran, a country whose football team is scheduled to play its three Group G matches on American soil.

At the moment, FIFA clearly feels there is nothing of significance that it can say or do. But let’s face it, Infantino has already aligned himself with Trump in very emphatic fashion.

And whatever your views on the rights and wrongs of American foreign policy, was that really such a good idea? Having a working relationship with the president of a country that is hosting your event is clearly advisable. Fawning over him? Not so much.

Speaking at the International Football Association Board meeting in Wales, FIFA’s secretary general, Mattias Grafstrom, said they would ‘monitor developments’. He also had this very general reassurance about World Cup 2026: “Everyone will be safe.”

But that will be a question put to every national association now that geopolitical events have taken this turn, not to mention the continuing trouble in Mexico. In a couple of weeks’ time, Thomas Tuchel will name his squad for England’s friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley at the end of the month.