The president of the United States, Donald Trump, said Tuesday that football fans around the world will be welcome during the 2026 World Cup, in an attempt to dissipate concerns about the effects of their immigration policy and border control measures during the tournament.
“We are eager to welcome football fans around the world,” said Trump, who has proclaimed himself president of the White House Working group for the tournament, during a press conference with FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.
“All parts of the US government will work to ensure that these events are safe and succeed, and that those who travel to the United States to witness the competition have a without setbacks during each part of their visit.”
The arrivals of international travelers to the United States could fall 5.1% in 2025, according to recent projections of the specialized firm Tourism Economics.
He World Tourism Forum Institute He warned that the combination of strict migratory policies in the United States and growing geopolitical tensions could “significantly affect” the flow of international visitors to the country.
Vice President JD Vance, also vice president of the World Cup working group, said that, although foreign visitors will be welcome during the tournament, they are expected to leave the country once the event is over.
“I know we will have visitors, probably from about 100 countries. We want them to come. We want them to be held. We want them to see the game,” Vance said in the session. “But when time is over, they will have to return home.”
Trump administration confidence
Infantino, on the other hand, said that FIFA has “full and total confidence” in the Trump administration to collaborate in the realization of a successful tournament.
“The entire world will focus on the United States of America, and the United States welcomes the world,” said Infantino at the meeting. “Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, to celebrate the game can do it.”
The Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem, said that the US authorities are using the FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played next month, as a test field for the 2026 World Cup, and said that the country expects to receive about two million foreign visitors during the tournament.
“We are already processing those travel documents and visa requests … that will obviously be a precursor to what we can do next year for the World Cup,” said Noem. “Everything is facilitating.”
Trump, on the other hand, was confident that he can collaborate closely with Canada and Mexico, despite the tense commercial disputes that he maintains with both countries.
“I don’t see tension either,” Trump said, shortly after meeting with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. “We get along very well with both.”
