The events leading up to the World Cup in America are making it less exciting to attend. Has FIFA made a bad decision by taking the World Cup to America?
The FIFA World Cup is finally arriving in North America, with the United States hosting the majority of matches alongside Canada and Mexico. The tournament is expected to generate billions in revenue, attract millions of visitors, and showcase football to a larger audience than ever before.
However, as the 2026 World Cup approaches, an uncomfortable reality has emerged.
Instead of discussions centering on football, many of the headlines have focused on ticket prices, visa problems, travel costs, security concerns, and questions about whether the tournament is truly accessible to the global audience it is supposed to serve.
There is no FIFA rule I can think of that the US has not violated in hosting his World Cup.
They are not doing anyone a favour hosting the World Cup. As a matter of fact, we would prefer they never got to host it.
What rubbish!
— Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10) June 9, 2026
A World Cup Becoming Too Expensive for Fans
One of the biggest complaints surrounding the tournament has been the cost.
World Cups have always been expensive, but many supporters believe 2026 has crossed a line. Ticket prices have sparked outrage across fan communities, with many supporters claiming that football’s biggest event is increasingly becoming a luxury product rather than a celebration of the global game.
The problem extends beyond match tickets. Fans travelling to the United States face expensive flights, costly accommodation, and significant domestic travel expenses.
Unlike previous tournaments held within relatively compact geographical areas, the distances between host cities are enormous.
A supporter could watch a match in Los Angeles and then need to travel thousands of kilometres to attend the next game in New York, Seattle, or Miami. For many fans, particularly those travelling from Africa, Asia, and South America, the total cost of attending the tournament has become prohibitive.
The Visa Crisis That Refuses to Go Away
Perhaps the most controversial issue of all has been the growing list of visa-related problems.
The World Cup is supposed to be the most inclusive sporting event on the planet. Instead, numerous reports suggest that players, officials, journalists, referees, support staff, and fans have encountered significant obstacles entering the United States.
One of the most widely discussed incidents involved a highly respected Somali referee who was reportedly denied entry despite possessing a diplomatic passport. Many within African football viewed the incident as a deeply embarrassing situation for a tournament that prides itself on global inclusion.
🚨 Somali referee Omar Artan was appointed by FIFA to ref in the 2026 World Cup, after he was awarded as the BEST AFRICAN REFEREE in 2025 .
However, the USA immigration authorities have DENIED him entry into the country, immediately kicking him out.
They have REFUSED to grant… pic.twitter.com/LRrt5fILKT
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 8, 2026
South Africa also experienced visa complications involving members of its delegation before the tournament. Iranian football officials have reportedly faced difficulties obtaining travel clearance, while reports indicate that 14 members of Iran’s backroom staff were denied visas.
The issues have extended beyond teams. Iraq’s national team photographer was reportedly denied entry despite holding valid travel documentation. Meanwhile, the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has publicly called on FIFA to address what it described as unacceptable visa challenges affecting African and Iranian journalists attempting to cover the tournament.
What has happened at the #2026WorldCup over the last 48 hours:
• Swiss footballer Embolo’s visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.
• Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the… pic.twitter.com/WyLiKr1KGu
— Antifa_Ultras (@ultras_antifaa) June 9, 2026
Fans Locked Out of Football’s Biggest Stage
The visa concerns become even more troubling when supporters are involved.
Reports suggest that approximately 90 percent of Moroccan fans who secured tickets have struggled to obtain entry approval. If accurate, that represents a significant barrier to participation for one of Africa’s most passionate footballing fanbases.
🚨 World Cup Update 🇪🇬🇮🇷
Egypt vs Iran will reportedly be played with only Egyptian supporters in the stadium.
No Iranian fans are expected to attend due to visa restrictions preventing their entry.
A match set to take place under strict and unusual crowd conditions.… pic.twitter.com/iiNxn7tUvB
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) June 9, 2026
Iranian supporters face even greater challenges. One of the most controversial reports surrounding the tournament suggests that the group-stage clash between Egypt and Iran could be played with only Egyptian supporters present inside the stadium because Iranian fans are unable to secure visas.
If football is supposed to unite people across borders, images of one side effectively prevented from attending their own team’s World Cup match would represent a troubling symbol of everything critics fear about this tournament.
Heat, Travel and Safety Concerns
Several host cities are expected to experience extreme summer temperatures. Players’ unions and climate experts have repeatedly warned about the risks associated with matches played during periods of intense heat.
Fans spending hours outside stadiums, in fan zones, or travelling between venues could face difficult conditions..
There have also been reports involving security concerns around some team camps, including incidents involving gunshots being heard in areas near training facilities. While local authorities have generally insisted that teams remain safe and protected, such stories have only added to growing anxieties surrounding the tournament environment.
FIFA’s Contradictory Position
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect for critics is FIFA’s response.
South Africa, Germany and other recent #WorldCup hosts were forced by FIFA to promise all accredited officials, players and staff would be guaranteed visas and minimal immigration interference for the tournament duration.
Why is the United States exempt from that @FIFAcom?
— Alex Tiffin (@RespectIsVital) June 9, 2026
In recent months, FIFA has repeatedly emphasized that immigration policies remain the responsibility of host governments and that the organization is not directly involved in visa decisions. That position has drawn criticism because it appears inconsistent with FIFA’s actions in previous situations.
In 2023, Indonesia lost hosting rights for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after refusing to allow Israel’s participation. FIFA cited “current circumstances” when making the decision and moved swiftly to protect tournament integrity.
In 2023, Indonesia were stripped of the under-20 World Cup for refusing to allow the Israeli team entry.
Fifa’s justification then was the vague “due to the current circumstances”.
Quite a contrast to the hardline “FIFA is not involved in host immigration processes” now.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) June 9, 2026
Critics now argue that FIFA’s current stance appears far less aggressive despite numerous reports involving visa denials affecting players, officials, journalists, referees, and supporters. Whether that criticism is entirely fair or not, it highlights the growing disconnect between FIFA’s image as a global governing body and the realities many participants are currently experiencing.
FIFA must recognize that accessibility is not a secondary issue. A World Cup without fans, journalists, referees, and officials from every corner of the globe is not a World Cup.
