FIFA May Move 2026 World Cup Matches from U.S. to Canada Over Immigration Concerns

With less than a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, political tensions and U.S. policy threaten to pose problems as Canada, the United States and Mexico prepare to co-host the tournament. Next year’s FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams.

Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S.With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S.

President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policies which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations, are generating anxiety.

The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries.Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump’s administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts.

Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead.