WASHINGTON DC — Six months out from the 2026 World Cup, and on the day of the group stage draw here, it’s worth taking a step back from the Gianni Infantino x Donald Trump love-in and reflect upon the myriad issues and controversies facing the tournament.

Things could get messy. Things *will* get expensive. World Cups are complicated anyway, and then you add in the US President…

Travel bans

In August, speaking to African media, Fifa president Infantino insisted that everybody would be welcome to come to the 2026 World Cup because this was a tournament for all. So far, so textbook.

The only slight issue: in June, President Trump initiated a travel ban on people from 12 countries. Those countries include Haiti and Iran, both of whom have qualified for the World Cup next summer.

There

See Full Page