Trump’s Immigration Policies Cast Shadow Over 2026 World Cup

“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the beauty and the greatness of America. And we can’t wait to welcome soccer fans from all over the globe,” proclaims US President Donald Trump on the government’s official visa information page for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This message of welcome stands in stark contrast to the broader policy landscape taking shape during Trump’s second term. Immigration restrictions, intensified enforcement operations, and deportation raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have become defining elements of his administration.

“This is a difficult time in this country because a lot of things that are happening are extremely unusual,” says Daniel Kanstroom, professor of law at Boston College. “We are seeing examples of ICE agents who appear to be overstepping their authority in some cases.”

The Trump administration has also tightened visa regulations, including broad suspensions affecting dozens of countries, in what Trump has described as an effort to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries.”

The United States is slated to host three-quarters of the tournament’s 104 matches, with the remaining games divided between Canada and Mexico. As preparation for the global sporting event continues, concerns about America’s immigration policies have begun circulating widely.

Recently, social media erupted with claims that thousands of fans are canceling their World Cup tickets out of fear of immigration enforcement – allegations that FIFA has firmly rejected.

“It’s fake news,” a FIFA spokesperson told DW. “No physical tickets have been handed over to customers by FIFA so far, and there is no bulk cancellation.”

FIFA’s customer support website clarifies that ticket sales are final and cannot be canceled once “payment for the ticket has been successfully processed.” More than a million World Cup tickets have already been sold during the Visa presale phase, while FIFA has received over 500 million ticket applications during the latest random selection draw.

Public anxiety has grown as ICE — the federal agency that enforces immigration laws inside the United States — has continued conducting large-scale operations targeting undocumented migrants in recent months. Several social media posts have suggested that ICE could also target soccer fans visiting the US, potentially identifying, detaining, or deporting fans attending the tournament.

Kanstroom believes such scenarios are highly unlikely. “I do not expect ICE would be involved in this,” he told DW, adding that the administration would not want to signal that ICE agents are targeting fans who have legally been admitted into the country. The scenario of fans being jailed, he says, “seems to be extremely, extremely unlikely.”

During President Trump’s second term, ICE’s budget and mission have expanded significantly, making the agency a focal point of the administration’s migration crackdown. The agency has also faced controversy. In Minneapolis, an ICE agent shot and killed a 37-year-old US citizen, Renee Nicole Good, prompting widespread protests and debate over federal enforcement practices.

According to information provided by the US Department of Justice, security at major stadium events is led by local and state law enforcement, with federal agencies providing intelligence and coordination, not frontline enforcement.

Another viral claim suggesting that Brazilian fans would be barred from entering the US has also been debunked. While the Trump administration has paused immigration visa processing — which affects those seeking permanent residence — from 75 countries including Brazil, short-term visas for travel and business (B1/B2 visas) remain available.

“A Brazilian national can still interview for a tourist visa to the United States that would allow them to attend the World Cup,” explained Eryn Hanlon, a US immigration lawyer based in London and New York.

Brazil, the most successful team in World Cup history with five tournament victories, remains one of the top nations for ticket registrations, according to FIFA. Brazilian citizens, like many others from countries not part of visa waiver programs, must obtain a valid US visitor visa to attend the event.

Trump has, however, imposed a travel ban on 19 countries, which would prevent fans from those nations from entering the US. These include four World Cup-participating countries: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

“Iranian fans who are solely Iranian nationals will not be able to attend,” Hanlon noted. “If they are dual nationals and their other nationality is not on the list, they can attend.” Athletes, coaches, and essential tournament personnel are exempt from the ban.

As the World Cup approaches, the tension between Trump’s welcoming rhetoric for the tournament and his administration’s restrictive immigration policies continues to generate confusion and concern among international soccer fans planning to attend the global sporting event.