EXPLAINER: Controversies Around the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has opened under intense scrutiny, with several controversies surrounding logistics, immigration, and governance dominating discussions ahead of kickoff.

According to a feature report, the tournament—expanded to include 48 teams for the first time—was expected to mark a historic milestone in global football but has instead been overshadowed by off-field challenges.

Issues such as visa denials affecting players and officials, including referees and national team staff, have raised concerns about how immigration policies in host countries could impact participation in the competition.

One widely discussed case involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who was reportedly denied entry into the United States after an extended immigration interview, effectively ruling him out of the tournament.

Iran and other participating nations also faced travel disruptions, with visa delays and restrictions affecting team logistics and fan attendance, while some supporters reportedly lost ticket access despite confirmed bookings.

Ticket pricing has also become a major point of criticism, with reports of high hospitality costs and investigations into FIFA’s sales practices in parts of the United States.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organisation, stating that immigration matters are controlled by governments and not FIFA, while also maintaining that ticket demand reflects strong global interest in the tournament.

The report also noted the involvement of political figures, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose administration’s immigration policies have been linked to some of the visa-related controversies.

Despite the off-field tensions, attention is gradually shifting back to football as the tournament progresses, with the expanded format expected to deliver more matches and broader global participation than any previous World Cup.