FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[8rch7]

what happens in US? Sepp Blatter make a statements, fans shouldn't going to US for watching world cup matches there. in the news, mentioned about security concern but I don't know the detail yet. if this statements just because of politics, of course, US must be banned from this event, just like Russia when started invasion to Ukraine. what do you think?

full: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/26/sepp-blatter-suggests-fans-should-not-travel-to-us-for-world-cup

Regarding politic situation nowadays can't acceptable about the FIFA former Sepp Blatter suggest fans not travelling to US for watching World Cup 2026, many conflict happening during World Cup begin and Donald Trump not stop yet make new issues every day exactly about war invasion. Recently conflict about Greenland still not clearly finish yet and hope United State president Donald Trump stop for sharing many bad issues during world cup kick off begin and must withdraw all his statement not allow several countries coming to United State.

During world cup 2026 many bad news sharing nowadays from boycott by several top European teams until issues about United State must be banning, I don't see any news about how progress of the host countries prepare for World Cup 2026 from Canada, United State and Mexico exactly about the stadium.

[Zaguru12]

Besides being foolish, it would also be detrimental in the long run for Germany to boycott the World Cup. The German Football Federation should not mix football and politics, as they are two separate issues. The US is politically in turmoil due to Trump's policies, but security at the World Cup will remain intact. Suppose FIFA grants Germany's request to play in Mexico or Canada, but what if Germany qualifies for the final, given that the final will be played in the US? Would Germany want to play in the US? Germany shouldn't need to worry about security issues in the US, as the World Cup organizers will ensure the comfort of players and spectators at the World Cup.

In as much as I agree with you that politics shouldn’t be in football I think problem wasn’t started by Germany and they have every right to actually protest their players security. Because let’s take this as should it be, wasn’t it this same US government that actually started the whole politics in football thing when them and the European Union actually stopped the Russian National team from participating in continental and world tournaments because of their country’s war with Ukraine then?


Now if we look a this I am very sure if it was another country US would have actually been doing same that the country they are participating in is in crisis with other country.

[kbhutto]

In as much as I agree with you that politics shouldn’t be in football I think problem wasn’t started by Germany and they have every right to actually protest their players security. Because let’s take this as should it be, wasn’t it this same US government that actually started the whole politics in football thing when them and the European Union actually stopped the Russian National team from participating in continental and world tournaments because of their country’s war with Ukraine then?


Now if we look a this I am very sure if it was another country US would have actually been doing same that the country they are participating in is in crisis with other country.

We all know politics should have nothing to do with football, but why would America ban a country from participating with the sole purpose of protecting players? I think this is something every country in crisis or facing major problems should be wary of.
When the European Union stopped the Russian national team from participating, it was also not wrong for many to support the US's stance for the safety and success of the biggest football event. That's all that can be understood, the rest of the specific goals or intentions are only known to them.

[Ale88]

That is the only question that makes sense. You can be passionate as much as you want but if you can't really afford it then I would never jeopardize my/my family's financial stability to go watch a football match (plus trip, hotel, transportation, etc). There is no nice way to put it but this World Cup in the USA is not for the people, it's for whoever can afford it. In my opinion these prices don't make any sense but if people are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to watch Uzbekistan, Jordan, Tunisia, Cabo Verde etc, then FIFA is right.

I think that there is nothing more exciting to see players like that live, I think that once in a lifetime any person there must do and try this experience is something that gives you a unique emotion and this makes me more than happy, I hope that everyone can experience this emotion.

It's not exactly once in a lifetime opportunity because the World Cup is played every 4 years, that's another reason not to get into financial troubles to go watch a match. We all have dreams but things not always go the way we want, some things may be just not affordable, and we must accept it. I like football but there are more important things in life. Of course I'm talking about regular people, if you are rich is a different story.

[Mindyspace]

That is the only question that makes sense. You can be passionate as much as you want but if you can't really afford it then I would never jeopardize my/my family's financial stability to go watch a football match (plus trip, hotel, transportation, etc). There is no nice way to put it but this World Cup in the USA is not for the people, it's for whoever can afford it. In my opinion these prices don't make any sense but if people are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to watch Uzbekistan, Jordan, Tunisia, Cabo Verde etc, then FIFA is right.

I think that there is nothing more exciting to see players like that live, I think that once in a lifetime any person there must do and try this experience is something that gives you a unique emotion and this makes me more than happy, I hope that everyone can experience this emotion.

It's not exactly once in a lifetime opportunity because the World Cup is played every 4 years, that's another reason not to get into financial troubles to go watch a match. We all have dreams but things not always go the way we want, some things may be just not affordable, and we must accept it. I like football but there are more important things in life. Of course I'm talking about regular people, if you are rich is a different story.

I find the opening games and the semi-finals/final very interesting. But experiencing the atmosphere of the event, especially since it's an edition taking place in different countries, is something truly unique and will likely take a long time to repeat. So I see it as a great opportunity, but not to the point of going into debt for it. In this scenario, staying home and betting ends up being the best option.

[changaa]

In as much as I agree with you that politics shouldn?t be in football I think problem wasn?t started by Germany and they have every right to actually protest their players security. Because let?s take this as should it be, wasn?t it this same US government that actually started the whole politics in football thing when them and the European Union actually stopped the Russian National team from participating in continental and world tournaments because of their country?s war with Ukraine then?


Now if we look a this I am very sure if it was another country US would have actually been doing same that the country they are participating in is in crisis with other country.

Unfortunately, politics always enters football is inevitable, these players many times especially in some teams who are politically in bad shape are also the first to find agreements with the states, but if we talk about civil states like the European ones it usually never happens.

[banana33]

it is something that often happens in such large sports event; i also understand that people need money if they manage to earn money from this they also manage to make sure that everything can be resold, in every area it is like this and so this thing does not surprise me.

Where there is a way to earn people are ingenious to round up and in some cases even to live.
I don't see anything strange and surprising, i think anyone who can find a more or less simple way to earn money like this and doesn't exploit it definitely doesn't need the money.

[cande86]

It's not exactly once in a lifetime opportunity because the World Cup is played every 4 years, that's another reason not to get into financial troubles to go watch a match. We all have dreams but things not always go the way we want, some things may be just not affordable, and we must accept it. I like football but there are more important things in life. Of course I'm talking about regular people, if you are rich is a different story.

This World Cup thing is a unique event that happens as you say every 4 years and it makes it even more special, i understand it and i think that i too would be very happy to see my national team present itself in the world in such an important competition but the prices are too high.

[Zaguru12]

Unfortunately, politics always enters football is inevitable, these players many times especially in some teams who are politically in bad shape are also the first to find agreements with the states, but if we talk about civil states like the European ones it usually never happens.

I don’t actually understand what you mean entirely but let’s be clear it is this modern days FIFA top hierarchy that have actually brought politics into football because most of their representatives middling with some countries politicians, there are even many cases of host countries been robbed off some countries and given unlawfully to other countries. Former presidents and officials are in courts because of scandals like this. So for me I think they should simply just start the orientation of stopping political involvement within themselves before preaching it out and there is no continental football that is exempted of this politics

[verdinio]

We all know politics should have nothing to do with football, but why would America ban a country from participating with the sole purpose of protecting players? I think this is something every country in crisis or facing major problems should be wary of.
When the European Union stopped the Russian national team from participating, it was also not wrong for many to support the US's stance for the safety and success of the biggest football event. That's all that can be understood, the rest of the specific goals or intentions are only known to them.

yes in fact it makes no sense politics must remain serious about these things, major sporting events should be held in places where there is a lot of peace and you can maintain a perfect climate and not with geopolitical tensions that are unfortunately unstable, this thing does not happen but for money you do all this and more.

[BlackBaron]

Unfortunately, politics always enters football is inevitable, these players many times especially in some teams who are politically in bad shape are also the first to find agreements with the states, but if we talk about civil states like the European ones it usually never happens.

I don’t actually understand what you mean entirely but let’s be clear it is this modern days FIFA top hierarchy that have actually brought politics into football because most of their representatives middling with some countries politicians, there are even many cases of host countries been robbed off some countries and given unlawfully to other countries. Former presidents and officials are in courts because of scandals like this. So for me I think they should simply just start the orientation of stopping political involvement within themselves before preaching it out and there is no continental football that is exempted of this politics

They campaign that politics should not be brought into football, but in reality, important people in football also have political positions. However, this is inevitable and I agree with you.

Even in some countries, football is used as a political vehicle, this is not unusual. And the officials at FIFA themselves are no different in my opinion. They are the same, but maybe they are clever in hiding this.

It's a pity, one of the entertainment that can be enjoyed by all circles must be utilized also because finally politics entered into it.

[Lembo69]

Unfortunately, politics always enters football is inevitable, these players many times especially in some teams who are politically in bad shape are also the first to find agreements with the states, but if we talk about civil states like the European ones it usually never happens.

I don’t actually understand what you mean entirely but let’s be clear it is this modern days FIFA top hierarchy that have actually brought politics into football because most of their representatives middling with some countries politicians, there are even many cases of host countries been robbed off some countries and given unlawfully to other countries. Former presidents and officials are in courts because of scandals like this. So for me I think they should simply just start the orientation of stopping political involvement within themselves before preaching it out and there is no continental football that is exempted of this politics

They campaign that politics should not be brought into football, but in reality, important people in football also have political positions. However, this is inevitable and I agree with you.

Even in some countries, football is used as a political vehicle, this is not unusual. And the officials at FIFA themselves are no different in my opinion. They are the same, but maybe they are clever in hiding this.

It's a pity, one of the entertainment that can be enjoyed by all circles must be utilized also because finally politics entered into it.

Yes, politics has entered football. As a result, international football events like FIFA are going to be held in a country whose president is currently embroiled in a war controversy. Last time, the 2022 FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar very beautifully. However, this time, since it is being held in three countries, it seems that football-loving spectators will not be able to enjoy the game as before. Because it is heard that problems have already started with tickets. There is also doubt whether many people will be able to sit in the stadium and enjoy the game because politics has entered football.

[Ale88]

Unfortunately, politics always enters football is inevitable, these players many times especially in some teams who are politically in bad shape are also the first to find agreements with the states, but if we talk about civil states like the European ones it usually never happens.

I don’t actually understand what you mean entirely but let’s be clear it is this modern days FIFA top hierarchy that have actually brought politics into football because most of their representatives middling with some countries politicians, there are even many cases of host countries been robbed off some countries and given unlawfully to other countries. Former presidents and officials are in courts because of scandals like this. So for me I think they should simply just start the orientation of stopping political involvement within themselves before preaching it out and there is no continental football that is exempted of this politics

They campaign that politics should not be brought into football, but in reality, important people in football also have political positions. However, this is inevitable and I agree with you.

Even in some countries, football is used as a political vehicle, this is not unusual. And the officials at FIFA themselves are no different in my opinion. They are the same, but maybe they are clever in hiding this.

It's a pity, one of the entertainment that can be enjoyed by all circles must be utilized also because finally politics entered into it.

Yes, politics has entered football. As a result, international football events like FIFA are going to be held in a country whose president is currently embroiled in a war controversy. Last time, the 2022 FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar very beautifully. However, this time, since it is being held in three countries, it seems that football-loving spectators will not be able to enjoy the game as before. Because it is heard that problems have already started with tickets. There is also doubt whether many people will be able to sit in the stadium and enjoy the game because politics has entered football.

Politics has always been part of football, since the beginning. Back to the mid-late 1930s when in Italy there was fascism; in 1978 in Argentina during a military dictatorship; and more recently even Russia and Qatar. Sport can be a powerful tool to promote their own political ideas, not football only, the Olympics too for example. There even is a specific term for this: sportswashing.

[el kaka22]

Politics has always been part of FIFA, this isn't the first time, and while Russia was banned, the reality is that USA has already won the contract and we will have it there, it's nearly impossible to stop. But FIFA made a world cup in Qatar where tens of thousands of people died of workplace related stuff, just to be done by the time world cup comes, and even with that, most of the seats were empty, because who around the world would want to go to Qatar? Not many.

USA will be better than that for sure, still terrible decision, still not as good as most other places, like Europe, but at least better than Qatar, there is no question about that. USA is an entertaining country, a dangerous one but at least they are fun while being dangerous, and not boring like Qatar was.

[Sithara007]

This is another thing that I find unbelievable since we are in 2026: the fact that FIFA give the possibility to transfer/resell tickets giving the possibility to people to make money. The tickets should be non-transferable or, if you can't attend the match, you should get a partial refund and the ticket would become available again for the public. I am so tired of resellers for every single thing, no matter whether it's tickets, cards, toys...

It is a sensitive topic. FIFA can easily prevent reselling by asking for ID while granting entry to the stadiums. But in the United States, people refuse to provide valid ID even while registering to vote. Then how can we expect them to show their ID while attending the world cup matches? So in short, there is no way to prevent the reselling of tickets. Once in a while FIFA identifies tickets that are resold and invalidate them. But resellers are not impacted in this case. Only victims are the fans who purchased the tickets from the resellers, as they lose their money.

[banana33]

Former presidents and officials are in courts because of scandals like this. So for me I think they should simply just start the orientation of stopping political involvement within themselves before preaching it out and there is no continental football that is exempted of this politics

FIFA is trying to bring football even in areas where it is not followed and where it is not the national sport, it is clear that these teams are not very followed, but they do it caller because so they can work more and earn more, i don't mind the case of bringing politics to the field.

[verdinio]

Politics has always been part of FIFA, this isn't the first time, and while Russia was banned, the reality is that USA has already won the contract and we will have it there, it's nearly impossible to stop. But FIFA made a world cup in Qatar where tens of thousands of people died of workplace related stuff, just to be done by the time world cup comes, and even with that, most of the seats were empty, because who around the world would want to go to Qatar? Not many.

USA will be better than that for sure, still terrible decision, still not as good as most other places, like Europe, but at least better than Qatar, there is no question about that. USA is an entertaining country, a dangerous one but at least they are fun while being dangerous, and not boring like Qatar was.

yes i agree with you, politics has always been part of FIFA since time immemorial, i think that such a big event inevitably brings commercial agreements with states that allow you to do things that others do not allow you to do, it is inevitable, so it will always be.

[Hanadawa]

yes i agree with you, politics has always been part of FIFA since time immemorial, i think that such a big event inevitably brings commercial agreements with states that allow you to do things that others do not allow you to do, it is inevitable, so it will always be.

Although FIFA always claims that football has nothing to do with politics, in reality, it's very difficult to avoid. Although, in my opinion, this is an indirect relationship. The host country certainly has a special agreement and negotiation with FIFA to host the World Cup. And at the World Cup, each participating country will carry its national identity and promote its culture and traditions on the global stage. Even heads of state always attend World Cup events. And often, they come not as fans but as representatives of their countries, supporting their players. Football may not enter the political realm of a country. But FIFA certainly has a certain political side when it comes to dealing with each FIFA member country.

[beerlover]

Unfortunately, politics always enters football is inevitable, these players many times especially in some teams who are politically in bad shape are also the first to find agreements with the states, but if we talk about civil states like the European ones it usually never happens.

There were protests, and even one guy dropped a lot of fake bills on FIFA people just to show how bribery was a big deal, and in fact president was fired just because of it all thanks to the deal they made with Qatar.

If we were free to judge Qatar decision, why would we want to be ok with USA being like this? I get that if you are a staunch American who loves his country then you will of course discredit our fears, that's fine, but that doesn't mean ICE isn't killing people around the nation, we rather not come to your country and just watch it at home.

[Loyang]

what happens in US? Sepp Blatter make a statements, fans shouldn't going to US for watching world cup matches there. in the news, mentioned about security concern but I don't know the detail yet. if this statements just because of politics, of course, US must be banned from this event, just like Russia when started invasion to Ukraine. what do you think?

full: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/26/sepp-blatter-suggests-fans-should-not-travel-to-us-for-world-cup

Regarding politic situation nowadays can't acceptable about the FIFA former Sepp Blatter suggest fans not travelling to US for watching World Cup 2026, many conflict happening during World Cup begin and Donald Trump not stop yet make new issues every day exactly about war invasion. Recently conflict about Greenland still not clearly finish yet and hope United State president Donald Trump stop for sharing many bad issues during world cup kick off begin and must withdraw all his statement not allow several countries coming to United State.

During world cup 2026 many bad news sharing nowadays from boycott by several top European teams until issues about United State must be banning, I don't see any news about how progress of the host countries prepare for World Cup 2026 from Canada, United State and Mexico exactly about the stadium.

But I think this year's World Cup will be completely different compared to every year. These differences are what are happening.

.A poor football fan will not be able to watch the game.
.Some teams will be banned
.Fans from many countries will not be able to go to watch the game. Because the USA does not provide visas to their countries.
.Etc.

All things put together, it seems that this World Cup is going to be completely different compared to the last World Cup. When the matches start taking place, we may hear or see many more comments.