Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Even in the presence of the first whistle, a 2026 World Cup—taking place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—already has winners and losers who haven’t left. Mainly, at the border, at the passport office, at the embassy, and at the US airport. Here, between denied visas, extended checks, and contested registrations, a similar race is emerging where human rights are at stake.
This World Cup is designed to be the world’s biggest football festival in North America. For the first time in history, the tournament is being held in three different countries, a move that aims to unify the world and turn the World Cup into an inclusive event.
But the prohibitions given are President Donald Trumparrangements are hindering those goals. Players, managers, and referees are coming up against certain challenges before they step onto the field. Currently, 39 countries face full or partial US travel restrictions, and four of them—Haiti, Iran, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire are expected to play in the World Cup. Meanwhile, events related to the US entry of participants from Iran, Iraq, and Somalia are causing controversy and raising questions about FIFA’s ability to hold a tournament with equal opportunities for all participants.
Human rights organizations they have already expressed concern about the impact of immigration policies and the strengthening of governance in host countries, warning that the tournament could also be a test of fundamental rights.
The biggest symptom of the US immigration crisis so far has involved Iran. After months of conflict and conflict between Washington, DC, and Tehran, the national team faces little travel and scrutiny as it travels to US stadiums to play.
While the Iranian team obtained the necessary visas for its players, the conditions were very restrictive. According to Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, members of the team will be allowed to enter the US only on the day of the match, with the obligation to leave the country at the final whistle.
This involvement forced the Iranian organization to move their training camps to Tijuana, Mexico, instead of the originally planned location in Tucson, Arizona. The national team will only be able to cross the border to play teams, returning to Mexican territory after the games.
The situation has become more complicated because not all members of the delegation have been given permission to enter. Fifteen officials and staff are said to be waiting for visas, while others are said to have already been denied.
If Iran’s problem starts even before it enters the US, in Iraq, the problem starts soon after it arrives.
Aymen Hussein, the famous face of the Iraqi national team and the striker who helped the team reach the World Cup, was arrested at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and questioned for seven hours. During the inspection, they were subjected to additional checks before being given the green light to enter the country.
The story has sparked a lot of attention in Iraq. Hussein himself has expressed frustration publicly, wondering why the US chose to host the World Cup when the sentiments of many foreigners are so hostile.
The most difficult is the story of Talal Salah, the official photographer of the Iraqi team. After spending almost 10 hours at the airport in Chicago, United States authorities denied him entry. US Customs and Border Protection it has been confirmed that Mr. Salah was denied entry into the country after being tested again. Such incidents have raised fears that these extraordinary checks involve delegates from Arab or Muslim countries.
