As we kick off the Summer, many citizens in the United States are thinking about vacation plans, catching up on hobbies, and spending more time with family. However, this summer is special for those interested in soccer, better known globally as football, since the United States is one of three countries hosting games in the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup, including the final in New Jersey. However, because of the geopolitical, cultural, and social controversies that cast a shadow over the United States, there have been many issues surrounding the support of the United States’ eligibility to partake in hosting the Men’s World Cup. 

On February 28th, 2026, the United States launched a calculated attack on Iranian nuclear/military infrastructure. Since then, according to the Global Conflict Tracker, Iran has reported more than 1,500 civilian deaths and 3.2 million displacements as of April 22. This has brought into question the United States’ ability to accommodate the Iranian national team during the World Cup since three of their games are set in the United States. 

As of May 2026, Iran will still be a participant in the World Cup, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino stating, “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America. The reason for that is simple, because we have to unite. We have to bring people together.”

According to the BBC, this statement came after United States President, Donald Trump, said that “Iran would be welcome, but [they] should not be involved for their own life and safety” (BBC). 

The President did reiterate that he would support Iran’s participation because of Infantino’s statement. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that “Iranian soccer personnel who have ties to the [Iranian Government] will not be allowed entry” (New York Times). Rubio’s statement connects to the overall issue that many soccer fans have with the United States hosting the World Cup, which is the skepticism surrounding the United States’ current ability to open its doors to the world. 

This is seen further through the travel ban/pause list that is currently implemented in the United States, preventing fans from Haiti, Iran, the Ivory Coast, and Senegal from traveling into the United States to support their teams. Other countries include Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Morocco, and Uruguay who are affected by the “pause list” that puts restrictions on visas. Even the Iranian national team’s head coach was denied entrance into the United States for the Group Stage Draw. 

The United States also has tense relations with the other two host countries: Canada and Mexico. This is due to Trump’s criticism of the Mexican President in dealing with cartels and continuously threatening to make Canada the 51st State.

How will this affect the tournament as a whole? The most probable answer is that despite tension between host nations, polarization, and restrictions on travel to the tournament, there will still be a tournament, and one country will ultimately come out on top.

When dozens of countries are brought together in order to compete in a tournament as famed as the World Cup, there is always bound to be conflict. During the 2022 Qatar Men’s World Cup, despite the overall excitement and approval of the championship results, many workers died while constructing Qatari stadiums. In the 2018 Russian Men’s World Cup, the issue of discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people came up after it was revealed that, before the tournament began, there were hundreds of LGBT citizens who were rounded up and tortured, or who disappeared.

On the topic of host country disputes, in the 2002 Men’s World Cup, Japan and South Korea were the first nations to co-host the competition. As is known, these two countries have had many conflicts with each other in the past, and Japan occupied Korea not even a century ago. 

However, despite all of these conflicts, every four years the World Cup is televised. Every four years, the world gathers together to support their countries and their players. Regardless of politics, the games go on, and this World Cup in 2026 will be no different.