Trump’s backing followed Uefa, Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) issuing an open letter accusing Infantino of breaking trust “through deception” with his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal.

FFE would have meant a new company being created to manage commercial and ticketing rights of all Fifa competitions, including World Cups, with 21% sold off to a private investment company.

Trump’s comments are the first time he has come out in defence of Infantino since the FFE plans came to light on 28 July.

“Fifa would be making a terrible mistake if, for any reason, they even considered replacing president Gianni Infantino,” Trump wrote on social media.

“He is fantastic, having just presided over the most successful World Cup, by four times, ever presented. If he is gone, it will never be as successful or profitable again.”

The 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico this summer, with Spain crowned champions after beating Argentina in the final.

When addressing the FFE proposals for the first time on 31 July, Trump said he had not spoken to Infantino about the plans.

Thrive Eternal was expected to lead the proposed investor group for FFE.

Thrive is an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner – the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared.

Infantino has a close relationship with Trump and awarded him the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize in December 2025.

European football’s governing body Uefa has threatened a boycott of all Fifa competitions, as well as saying it could take legal action over the failed FFE plans.

The letter issued by Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC – the three confederations representing Europe, North America, Central America and the Caribbean, and Asia – came after Fifa said there was a “concerted and ongoing effort” to “undermine” world football’s governing body and Infantino.

BBC Sport understands that there have been preliminary discussions between the three confederations over breakaway competitions, should Infantino remain in his position. However, substantive talks are yet to begin, according to others.

“When trust is broken through deception, when an individual places himself above the collective that entrusted him with authority, that duty has been abandoned,” the letter from Uefa, Concacaf and the AFC read.

While the statement did not name Infantino, sources have told BBC Sport that it should be seen as an opportunity for him to resign and leave his position with dignity.

United States forward Balogun was expected to miss his side’s last-16 tie against Belgium after being shown a straight red card during their 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

But, after an intervention from US President Donald Trump, the one-match ban was suspended for 12 months. No reason was given, beyond citing a rule that allows punishments to be suspended.

Balogun started the match, which Belgium won 4-1.

In a statement provided to the BBC, NFF president Lise Klaveness said the federation had reacted with “strong concern” and a decision on whether or not to make a complaint would be made at its next board meeting.

The federation has already filed a complaint about Fifa’s first Peace Prize being awarded to President Trump.

“It is appropriate to include the Balogun case in the inquiry to Fifa’s ethics committee that we made before the World Cup regarding Fifa’s so-called peace prize award during the draw in Washington before Christmas last year,” Klaveness said.

The statement followed reports the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could also investigate Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino has been an IOC member since 2020.

Section two of the Olympic charter states: “Members of the IOC will not accept from governments, organisations, or other parties, any mandate or instructions liable to interfere with the freedom of their action and vote.”

In response to a BBC request, the IOC issued a statement saying: “Complaints to the IOC ethics commission are confidential. The IOC will therefore not make any public announcement about whether a complaint has been submitted or not by an external party. The IOC will only communicate sanctions should the ethics commission decide to impose some.”

Why was Balogun allowed to play?

Image source: AFP via Getty Images

Image caption: Folarin Balogun was sent off during the United States’ match against Bosnia & Herzegovina

Despite being shown a straight red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun remained available for the United States’ match against Belgium.

His reinstatement followed a phone call between Trump and Infantino, with the US president later saying Fifa had made a “great decision”.

Infantino has maintained Fifa’s judicial bodies operate independently.

At a news conference in the Oval Office on 6 July, President Trump said: “I spoke to Gianni. So I saw the play, and I’m a person that loves sports and I understand sports really well, and that wasn’t a foul.

“Yes, I asked for a review by Fifa. I spoke to a man who is highly respected. I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. I didn’t tell him what to do, I can’t tell him what to do.”

The Royal Belgian Football Federation said it was “deeply concerned by the course of events” and it would “fight… in defence of the fundamental principles of ethics, fair competition, and the interests of football as a whole”.

Fifa ruled Belgium’s request for an explanation of Balogun’s suspended red card “inadmissible,” meaning it had no grounds to appeal.

Uefa, European football’s governing body, said Fifa’s actions had “crossed a red line” and described it as an “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision.”

Balogun, 25, was dismissed for serious foul play against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last 32 and should have received an automatic suspension.

However, Fifa’s disciplinary committee suspended his ban for a year – a decision that prompted widespread condemnation, particularly when it emerged US President Donald Trump and White House officials had lobbied football’s world governing body about the American’s sanction.

Balogun, who scored three goals at the World Cup, was able to start the USA’s last-16 defeat by Belgium – a decision European football’s governing body Uefa called “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable”.

“My initial reaction was that I was happy to be back in the team but when I started to reflect, I knew it was going to start a lot of controversy and I could almost see within my team-mates a bit of nerves because it is something that is so unique,” Balogun told CBS.

“The closer we got to the game, I focused the best I could but it was difficult. The outside noise is hard to avoid.

“My team-mates are like my brothers, they gave me a lot of reassurance. There was nothing I could do or change.”

The decision to waive Balogun’s suspension came two days before the United States were beaten 4-1 by Belgium.

Balogun found out that he could feature in the game while on the team bus, which brought “screaming and shouting” among the squad.

Given the unlikely nature of avoiding an instant suspension for a straight red card, Balogun said he had not been involved in early preparations for the game.

“It was confusing as the team was practising without me in the team. I almost played a supporting role to keep the morale high,” the Monaco striker added.

“When we found out on the team bus, everyone was screaming and shouting. It was a pretty intense bus ride to the practice field.”

Despite the Belgium defeat, Balogun, who did not score in the game, does not feel it distracted Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

“It was about separating the emotion from the job at hand. We are all professionals,” he added.

“It was not something that was too difficult to separate once we got over the initial announcement that I would be back in the team.

“It was a difficult game against Belgium and that can overshadow whether we are focused or not, but from being inside the camp and set-up I know we had full concentration going into the game.”

The head of Fifa’s disciplinary committee refused to answer BBC questions about the decision-making process which led to Balogun avoiding a ban.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has previously denied having influence over disciplinary decisions.

England’s Jarell Quansah was similarly shown a red card in England’s 3-2 win over Mexico following a high challenge on Jesus Gallardo and the same committee ruled he should serve a two-match ban.

It was classed as serious foul play, meaning the Bayer Leverkusen player was handed an extra match on top of the automatic one-game suspension by Fifa.

Pulisic was substituted in the 59th minute just moments after Belgium scored their third goal in Seattle.

The 27-year-old appeared to suffer the injury early in the second half as he attempted a shot but instead kicked the back of Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans’ leg.

“Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia/fibula in his right leg suffered during the match against Belgium,” said a US Soccer federation statement on social media.

US Soccer and Pulisic’s club team, AC Milan, will collaborate on his recovery plan.

The US players were widely criticised in the US media after suffering elimination with their heaviest World Cup defeat in 36 years, with Pulisic’s early withdrawal questioned.

“I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. Whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game – and, really, the whole World Cup. Little glimpses here and there,” said the US’ all-time leading goal scorer Carli Lloyd.

Recalling Pulisic’s decision to sit out the Gold Cup in 2025 in order to rest and recover before a World Cup year, she posted on X: “You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”

Landon Donovan, the all-time US top scorer at men’s World Cups, said: “I would have punched the doctor in the face and said, ‘You’re not taking me off the field’.”

While US Soccer did not give a timeframe for Pulisic’s recovery, he would not have been able to play had his side progressed to the quarter-finals.

The Athletic reported that Pulisic “will be sidelined for several weeks but not months,” citing multiple people briefed on the diagnosis.

AC Milan begin their Serie A campaign on 23 August against Torino.

It was a largely lethargic display by the US who had star striker Folarin Balogun in their starting line-up after President Donald Trump had asked Fifa to review his ban following his red card in the previous round.

Fifa responded by suspending the automatic one-match ban for 12 months but their leading scorer at the tournament, with three goals, was largely isolated as Belgium dominated the game.

They took the lead in the ninth minute when Nicolas Raskin’s pass across the face of goal was tapped in by De Ketlaere.

The home side levelled in the 31st minute when Malik Tillman’s free-kick took a wicked deflection off Belgium’s Hans Vanaken.

But the European side restored their lead two minutes later when De Ketelaere headed in Leandro Trossard’s cross.

In the second half they were gifted a third when De Ketelaere tackled hesitant US keeper Matt Freese and Vanaken side-footed the ball into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.

And in the 93rd minute substitute Romelu Lukaku slotted in Belgium’s fourth with a low shot into the far corner from a tight angle.

It means it will be Belgium will face Spain in the last eight in Los Angeles on Friday (20:00 BST) after the European champions beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday.

The 25-year-old striker was involved in an incident that led to him being sent off in the United States’ Round of 32 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Balogun had been due to serve a one-match ban; however, on Sunday, FIFA announced that the suspension had been deferred for one year, making the 25-year-old eligible for the United States’ Round of 16 tie against Belgium.

Speaking on the incident, Trump argued that the challenge leading to Balogun’s dismissal did not warrant a foul, describing it as an accidental collision between two players sprinting at full speed.

“I spoke to Gianni… I saw the play. I’m a person who loves sports and was a good athlete. I understand sports really well. Really well. That wasn’t a foul. That was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other,” he said.

The US President also questioned the fairness of imposing a suspension that would affect a future match, maintaining that such punishment was excessive.

“It’s one thing to penalise somebody for the game, but how do you penalise them for a game that hasn’t been played yet? It’s very unfair; you can’t do that,” he added.

Trump confirmed that he requested FIFA to review the disciplinary decision and praised Infantino for responding to his concerns. he further highlighted his role in bringing major international sporting events to the United States, claiming credit for securing both the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

“Yes, I asked for a review by FIFA. I spoke to a man who is highly respected, whose level of respect has gone up tenfold, and he was good before this started, but he really pushed it in this country. I’m the one who got them to do it [bring the World Cup to America]. It was not [Joe] Biden. I got the Olympics, and I got the World Cup. We gave a little piece to Canada, a little piece to Mexico, but I got that myself,” Trump stated.

The US President noted that his involvement was limited to requesting a review of the decision, stressing that he neither instructed FIFA nor attempted to influence the outcome.

“All I did was ask for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul. Again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled. That was not a guy punching somebody in the face or anything that would be different,” he explained.

He added that excluding Balogun from the knockout stages would have diminished the spectacle of the tournament. 

Drawing comparisons with some of football’s biggest stars, Trump argued that major tournaments should feature the world’s elite players whenever possible.

“If they wouldn’t allow a top player, maybe among the best players on the team, to play, I think it would have had a big stain, and I related just that feeling. I didn’t tell them what to do. I can’t tell them what to do.”

“How would you feel if you took Lionel Messi, or Cristiano Ronaldo, or Harry Kane out? You can’t do that. We gotta have our best players, and Belgium’s got a great team, by the way. We gotta have our best, and they gotta have their best. And if we win or we lose, it’s fair,” he added.

The President also reiterated that he had personally contacted Infantino to seek a review of the incident, commending the FIFA chief for his leadership while again claiming credit for bringing the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games to the United States.

The controversy surrounding Balogun’s suspension has sparked widespread debate across the football world, with supporters divided over FIFA’s decision to defer the ban.

While critics have questioned the circumstances behind the ruling, Trump insists the review produced the correct outcome and ensured that one of the United States’ key players remained available for the country’s World Cup campaign.

No ifs, no buts, no appeals.

The decision to effectively overturn the red card shown to United States’ star forward Florian Balogun leaves many unanswered questions.

Balogun, sent off in the last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, will now be available to play in the last 16 against Belgium on Monday. He’s the US’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals.

There have been 189 red cards in the history of the World Cup, and only two players have not served a suspension.

The other came in 1962, when Brazil’s Garrincha was sent off against Chile in the semi-final, but played in the victory over Czechoslovakia in the final.

Back then, however, there was no automatic ban. It was decided by the committee with evidence given by the officials.

The Fifa disciplinary committee’s decision in 1962 was shrouded in allegations of political interference. It may well be the case again.

Given the well-established close relationship between the White House and Fifa, questions will be asked because of what is a highly unusual decision in favour of the co-hosts.

Multiple reports say that US President Donald Trump called Fifa president Gianni Infantino earlier this week to ask for the red card to be reviewed. The BBC has not yet confirmed these reports.

Does it set a footballing precedent, too?

Why has Balogun been given a reprieve, but the other 11 players sent off at this World Cup have all served a suspension?

Will it lead to more appeals in football in a bid to cut suspensions even when red cards were justified under the rules?

When it says “misses next match” on the television coverage following the World Cup’s next red card, should we not be so sure it happens?

Here, we break down the decision, what we know and the possible repercussions.

Fifa offered no reason or explanation

There is one overriding question many people are now asking. How?

Fifa’s disciplinary code states that Balogun should receive a ban of “at least two matches for serious foul play”.

Indeed, the World Cup rules do not allow teams to appeal against a red card.

Fifa’s statement offered no reason or explanation for suspending Balogun’s ban. It just cited “article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code”.

Article 27 allows Fifa “to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure”.

It is a wide-ranging rule that allows Fifa to effectively make whatever decision it wants without having to meet any other criteria.

Article 27 has never before been used at a World Cup.

BBC Sport has asked why this happened.

But we were not provided with any reasoning. We were simply directed to Cristiano Ronaldo’s suspended ban before this tournament.

Under Fifa’s disciplinary code, Ronaldo should have received a three-match ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat by the Republic of Ireland in November.

He served one match in the final qualifier against Armenia – but the remaining two games of the ban were suspended.

Ronaldo’s red card, though, was received in qualifying. It was not a red card at a World Cup.

There have been many cases of players being shown some leniency before a tournament, not just Ronaldo.

See France’s Laurent Koscielny in 2014, or Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo and Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi before this World Cup.

At least with Ronaldo, we were given some justification, with Fifa saying it had taking into account that “he had no red cards in his other 225 international appearances”.

With Balogun, we did not even get that.

It has left a vacuum of information which can only lead to speculation.

Why was this a special case? What factors were taken into account? Who made the decision?

BBC Sport has been told there are no suggestions that the referee asked for the suspension to be removed, or that video assistant referee protocol was not respected.

In England, the Football Association would publish the full written reasons.

The United States have the right to ask Fifa to publish them, Belgium do not.

BBC Sport pundit Micah Richards, a former England defender, said it was a farce.

“To have it suspended for a year makes a mockery of the whole tournament,” he said.

“It is to keep the big stars in the competition. How can that happen? Fifa needs to do better.

“It has left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths.”

Belgium are, of course, furious. They issued a statement on Sunday saying they were “astonished” that Balogun had been cleared to play.

The Belgian FA referenced several regulations, workshop presentations and pre-tournament co-ordination meetings.

They are adamant that the decision contradicts the tournament regulations which state that a player “will automatically be suspended from their team’s subsequent match”.

In effect, they say Fifa used its disciplinary code to override the competition regulations.

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia, speaking at a news conference, went further. He said: “I didn’t know that [at] the Fifa World Cup 5 July is now 1 April, and that is April Fool’s.

“We are not defending the national team or the federation, we’re defending football.”

What must the other players sent off at this tournament be thinking?

Take Qatar’s Assim Madibo, involved in an unfortunate incident which led to a broken leg for Canada’s midfielder Ismael Kone.

There is a clear case here that Madibo did not even make a challenge, that the injury happened by chance and not because of the nature of the tackle.

Yet Fifa handed Madibo a five-game ban – and extra three on top of the standard punishment for serious foul play.

Does the Balogun decision create precedent?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Balogun was sent off following a video assistant referee review

Was Balogun’s red card harsh? Absolutely.

The striker was challenging Tarik Muharemovic and accidentally brought his foot down on the ankle of the Bosnian.

Harsh does not mean it was an incorrect decision, or that it was so egregious that Fifa simply had to step in.

Should Fifa now rescind any suspension after a red card from an accidental act?

Coaches will be making the argument – precedent has been set, now let’s have consistency.

Intent was taken out of the laws many years ago, and only the result of a challenge is meant to be considered.

Take Xavi Simons’ red card against Liverpool last December. The Tottenham forward did not mean to stand on the back of Virgil van Dijk’s leg, but he did, and it was judged to endanger the safety of the opponent.

Tottenham’s then-head coach Thomas Frank bemoaned the automatic three-match ban, but the club decided against appealing, believing they had no chance of success.

The Balogun decision adds to some concerns within the domestic leagues about decisions at this World Cup.

It is felt that the lack of yellow cards, some of the implementation of VAR, as well as the interpretation of new laws, is impossible to replicate at the league level.

And fans will expect it to be the same.

By repealing Balogun’s ban, it can only make life more difficult for them.

Why can’t the Football Association show clemency just like Fifa did?

Surely excessive bans like that suffered by Simons should be looked at?

Was Trump involved in the decision?

One of the cornerstones of Fifa’s World Cup disciplinary process is that you cannot appeal.

Why has Fifa created a special case for the host nation’s star player?

The red card and suspension caused uproar in the United States.

There have been claims in the US that the striker was given a double punishment by having to miss one match and almost a third of another – the last 27 minutes versus Bosnia and the tie with Belgium. This was grossly unfair, it was said by media commentators in the US.

There was pressure from the media and from the US administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US “got screwed with that red card” and that “there needs to be an appeal process” on Friday.

However, there was no expectation that Fifa would suddenly produce a special dispensation which would allow the former Arsenal striker to play.

Effectively, Balogun received a sin-bin against Bosnia and is free to play again.

Reuters, AFP and the New York Times has reported Trump’s supposed call to Infantino on Wednesday – the day after the Bosnia game – and that he asked the Fifa president to review Balogun’s suspension.

BBC Sport has not confirmed these reports.

On Sunday evening, Trump thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” in a post on Truth Social.

If true, it has parallels with the Garrincha situation, with presidential intervention involved to make sure the Brazil winger was not suspended.

Fifa’s ethics committee had already been asked to investigate Infantino, claiming he broke the governing body’s rules on political neutrality in relation to awarding Trump’s Fifa Peace Prize.

The world governing body’s statutes forbid political interference in football.

If it turns out the US administration did have a role to play, there will be further questions to answer.

But before that, all eyes will be on Balogun and the US against Belgium on Monday.

The 25-year-old striker was shown a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic as the co-hosts won their last-32 tie 2-0.

Fifa said the automatic one-match ban will be suspended for a year.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said it is “astonished” by Fifa’s decision and is “investigating all potential options” in response.

“In line with article 27 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” world governing body Fifa said in a statement.

“If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

US President Donald Trump thanked Fifa for “reversing a great injustice” in a post on Truth Social.

Trump, a friend of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, wrote: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

USA forward Christian Pulisic said the squad learned the one-game ban had been suspended on the bus to training on Sunday and said Balogun was “super happy”.

Pulisic added: “Just a big smile on his face and all of ours. The foul wasn’t what it was, it was harsh.”

The RBFA pointed out all previous red cards issued at this World Cup have automatically resulted in a suspension and that Fifa’s decision is in “direct contradiction” of the competition regulations, which were “explicitly reaffirmed” by the governing body to all participating nations in May.

It added: “In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this Fifa World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among those who had demanded the decision be reviewed.

Asked about the USA’s World Cup performance during a news conference, Rubio said: “It was great. They got screwed with that red card.

“There needs to be an appeal process for that. It’s probably too late for that.”

More broadly in the US, there has been much disquiet from fans about the red card for one of their star players. Many media outlets have questioned the decision and the way football applies its rules – in terms of having to leave the field of play after a red card, and then being banned for a future match.

Balogun has been a key figure for the US at the World Cup, scoring twice for Mauricio Pochettino’s side as they began their campaign with a 4-1 win against Paraguay.

The former Arsenal forward also opened the scoring against Bosnia before getting sent off in the 64th minute after a tussle with Muharemovic for a looping ball.

As Balogun attempted to shield the ball Muharemovic managed to get in front of him, and as the forward’s boot returned to the ground it landed on the back of the Bosnian’s ankle, causing it to twist.

Brazilian referee Raphael Claus brandished the red card after he was sent to the pitchside monitor to watch a super slow-motion replay of the incident by the video assistant referee (VAR).

According to Fifa regulations, a red card “automatically incurs suspension from the subsequent match” but the governing body “may impose additional match suspensions and other disciplinary measures”.

During the group stages of the tournament, Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo had his one-match suspension increased to five matches for his foul on Canada’s Ismael Kone, who was left with a broken leg.

But there is recent precedent for Fifa suspending a World Cup ban.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was cleared to play in his country’s opening match of the tournament despite his red card against the Republic of Ireland during the World Cup qualifiers.

The 41-year-old was sent off for an elbow to Dara O’Shea’s back during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat in November and initially received a three-match ban.

But after sitting out a game against Armenia, Fifa suspended the remainder of the ban for a year on 25 November, allowing Ronaldo to feature in Portugal’s opening two World Cup matches.

Balogun opened the scoring for The Stars and Stripes but will now miss the last-16 clash against Belgium after he unintentionally yet painfully trod on Tarik Muharemovic in the second half and was sent off after a VAR review.

However, after Bosnia struggled to shift into top gear against 10 men, Malik Tillman put the result beyond doubt with a sumptuous free kick in the 83rd minute.

It was just desserts for Mauricio Pochettino’s side who had two goals correctly ruled out for offside and were the only team looking to take the initiative in Santa Clara, but needed to wait until just before the lead.

After Balogun thought he’d opened the scoring 10 minutes earlier, the outstanding Tillman latched onto a loose ball and played it into the penalty area where Muharemovic couldn’t control it, allowing the striker to steal in and fire past Nikola Vasilj.

Then after Tyler Adams and Edin Dzeko appeared to have shaken off a nasty collision, the veteran striker was substituted early in the second half ending what could be his final international appearance, but Sergej Barbarez’s attacking changes failed to spark his side into life.

Bosnia’s luck appeared to have turned when Balogun saw red just before the hydration break, yet they failed to turn more possession into meaningful chances until stoppage time, and by then they were 2-0 down thanks to Tillman’s masterful free-kick.

The US will play Belgium in the early hours of Tuesday morning next week, with the winner potentially facing Spain or Portugal in the quarter-finals.

Both goals came in a very impressive first-half display, as Cameron Burgess’ own goal and Alex Freeman’s header leave Mauricio Pochettino’s side on the brink of securing their place in the knockout stages.

Buoyed on by a ferocious crowd in the Pacific Northwest, The Socceroos had few answers to a display of blistering intensity from the tournament co-hosts.

Their deserved opener came in the 11th minute when Folarin Balogun’s cross from the left was turned into his own net by Burgess.

It was effectively one-way traffic before the break, and some poor Australia defending resulted in a second US goal.

Antonee Robinson’s free-kick from the right fell to Sergino Dest on the edge of the box, and his shot deflected up into the path of Freeman to head home past Patrick Beach.

The goal was initially chalked off for offside, but a VAR review overturned the call and moved the US 2-0 in front.

Australia improved considerably after the restart, but struggled to put US goalkeeper Matt Freese under enough pressure between the sticks.

Their best chance of the match fell to substitute Cristian Volpato, who blazed over from close range.

The game will also be remembered for a light-hearted moment when Felix Zwayer went down with cramp. Fortunately, Balogun was on hand to help.

Both teams are back in action a week today, as the USA face Turkey in Los Angeles, while Australia take on Paraguay in San Francisco.

Until this week, the host nation, the United States, had been at war with the country.

The team has faced visa problems. They have had to relocate their base camp. And when they take to the pitch here in Los Angeles on Monday (Tuesday, 02:00 BST), they will do so under the gaze of one of the world’s largest Iranian diasporas.

An agreement to halt hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz was announced on Sunday. It may have eased fears of further escalation, but tensions remain high.

“This kind of tension undermines the joy of the World Cup,” said striker Mehdi Taremi.

“I felt the tension from the first moment we arrived. The tension started even before we got here.”

After months of uncertainty, Iran moved their World Cup base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to the Mexican border city of Tijuana.

The decision followed concerns over visas, security and the increasingly fraught political climate surrounding the team’s participation.

Iran’s manager, Amir Ghalenoei, told the BBC the disruption had inevitably affected preparations.

“Without any doubt, this kind of behaviour has impacted the spirit of football,” he said.

“Football is supposed to bring nations and cultures together. It is about bringing joy. These conditions have affected our focus, but I have tried to make sure the players concentrate on strategy and performance.”

He added that the team had arrived late and had little time to adjust.

“But I know how committed these players are to performing.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Iran’s players arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday from their base in Tijuana

Los Angeles is often nicknamed “Tehrangeles” – a fact that drew smiles from both player and manager when it was mentioned at the news conference.

Many Iranian-Americans will be heading to SoFi Stadium on Monday where Iran will open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand.

Many will not be there to cheer, but to protest.

Fifa has banned the pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag – a powerful symbol for many Iranians living abroad.

The decision has angered parts of the diaspora.

“You don’t come to Los Angeles and tell us we can’t fly the Lion and Sun flag,” said activist Arezo Rashidian, who is helping organise demonstrations outside the stadium.

“This is the largest Iranian community outside Iran. Many of us came here after the revolution. We’re opposing Fifa’s ban and standing in solidarity with the people of Iran.”

Many members of the diaspora are hostile towards Iran’s regime, and some see the squad as an extension of the Islamic Republic.

“It’s unfortunate that the regime turns athletes into mouthpieces.” said Rashidian. “We want athletes to remain athletes.”

Despite that, she and many others still plan to attend the match.

“We understand the pressure they’re under,” she said. “We’ll carry our colours. We’ll cheer for Iran – the country – held captive by the Islamic Republic.”

But while protesters prepare to make their voices heard outside the stadium, Iran’s players say their focus remains on football.

“As players of the national team, we play for every single Iranian, whether in the diaspora or in Iran,” Taremi said.

“In every country people have different opinions. We are here to unite people and bring joy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We don’t get involved in politics.”

That may be the ideal.

But for Iran’s team, keeping politics outside the stadium could prove difficult in a tournament where football has often felt like a sideshow for this squad.

“There is no winning for Iran’s team,” investigative football journalist Samindra Kunti said.

“Given the circumstances, the political pressure, the location of the matches and the diaspora in Los Angeles, they’re under enormous pressure.”

“It’s impossible to avoid the politics.

“Everything becomes a reminder of their situation.”

The players face pressure from home, pressure from the host nation and pressure from a diaspora determined to make its voice heard.

All before a ball has been kicked.

The clarification follows Canada’s decision to deny the 32-year-old a visa ahead of Ghana’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing immigration rules that can bar individuals accused or convicted of certain offences.

According to Canadian regulations, applicants may be refused entry if they have been convicted of, or admitted to, specific crimes. However, Partey has only been charged and is yet to stand trial.

FIFA confirmed that the former Arsenal midfielder, now with Villarreal, will miss Ghana’s opening fixture after Canadian authorities rejected his visa application.

The world governing body also stressed that it does not intervene in the immigration decisions of host nations.

In response to Canada’s action, US Customs and Border Protection stated that Partey was admitted into the United States on June 3 after receiving a valid visa.

“The US is aware of the pending court case for Mr Partey; however, at this time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the United States after being issued a visa,” the statement said. 

“CBP’s defers to Canada for questions on his denial of entry,” the agency added.

Partey has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, involving allegations from four women between 2020 and 2022. He is scheduled to stand trial next year.

Despite the controversy, the midfielder remains eligible to feature in Ghana’s remaining group matches in the United States, including clashes against England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Balogun became just the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match, after Bert Patenaude – who netted the tournament’s first-ever hat-trick in the inaugural 1930 edition, also against Paraguay.

It is also the US’ joint-biggest win at a World Cup – matching the 3-0 victories against Paraguay and Belgium in 1930, when they finished third.

It took the home side just seven minutes to open the scoring in the Group D opener in front of their vocal supporters, courtesy of an own goal from Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla.

Christian Pulisic, however, was the architect, squeezing between two defenders with a quick burst of pace before feeding Weston McKennie, whose cutback was inadvertently turned into his own net by Bobadilla.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side thought they had a second in the 28th minute only for Balogun to be flagged offside, but they were not to be denied three minutes later as the Monaco striker thumped home from winger Pulisic’s pass.

Balogun then pulled the US further ahead, pouncing on a through ball from Malik Tillman and escaping a challenge from Sunderland defender Omar Alderete before curling past goalkeeper Orlando Gill to find the top corner.

They continued to apply the pressure after restart but it was Paraguay who struck next against the run of play through Brazilian-born Mauricio, who was slipped in by former Brighton forward Julio Enciso and slotted past Matt Freese.

The US victory was capped off with the goal of the night from substitute Giovanni Reyna, who curled a 20-yard shot home with the outside of his right foot with the final kick of the game.

An illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, with the country’s flag had been embedded on the shirts worn in both of their pre-tournament friendlies.

However, equipment regulations set out by the world governing body prohibits the use of any “political, religious, or personal messages or slogans” on kit.

In a statement, Colombian manufacturer Saeta, said its original design “was a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future” and “was not intended as a political statement”.

It added: “Fifa determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modifications to the design.

“While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by Fifa.”

Haiti begin their first World Cup campaign in 52 years against Scotland at Boston Stadium, Foxborough at 02:00 BST on Sunday.

The Caribbean country then face five-time winners Brazil and Morocco in Group C.

In their only previous World Cup appearance in 1974, Haiti lost all three group games and conceded 14 goals.

“Believe me when I tell you, or don’t believe me if you don’t want, but we try always to find solutions, always,” he said during his pre-World Cup news conference in Mexico City on Wednesday. “But then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces and I don’t know what. We are a sports organization, we try to do our best with the means that we have.”

Infantino referenced the specific case of Omar Artan, who was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list for the tournament, but was denied entry to the United States after arriving at the Miami International Airport from Istanbul.

A United States official said Tuesday night that Artan was refused admission because of “association with suspected members of terror organizations.”

“It is unfortunate what happened to Omar, the referee from Somalia, but again we don’t control everything,” Infantino said. “We try, we’ll discuss, we’ll see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to chill, relax. We work on everything, we try to resolve everything.

“Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect in terms of finding a solution. We always try to find solutions, always. But then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces.”

Infantino was later pressed to clarify his comments and highlighted the success in getting the Iran squad visas for the tournament despite the ongoing conflict with the U.S.

“I don’t mean to chill and do nothing, I mean to trust us that we are working behind the scenes, trying to understand,” he said. “There are things we are told, things we are not told. We always try to make things positive and find a solution.

“It has been successful to bring Iran to play in America, I don’t know who would’ve managed to do that … we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth and we try our best.”

Despite the ongoing visa-related issues that included relocating the Iran national team’s training base to Tijuana, Mexico, and the denied entry to Artan, Infantino insisted he does not regret choosing the United States as a host country of the 2026 World Cup.

Infantino added that the organization is taking a similar “relaxed” approach to the ongoing investigations regarding World Cup ticket prices. There are current cases open by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas.

“Let me say that we are very relaxed about it because before starting to sell 7 million tickets, we checked what we would do with the best lawyers or experts,” Infantino said.

“In California, we sold 800,000 tickets for the games in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Out of the 800,000 we had three customers who complained. The fourth one has come since. These cases were solved before the investigations started. We welcome any investigations. We’ll present everything and make our case. But it’s most important that every dollar that we generate goes back into football.”

FIFA priced tickets at $140 for the summer tournament, with certain regular seats up to $8,680 for the July 19 final in New Jersey. After facing heavy criticism, FIFA released a number of $60 tickets to national federations for supporters.

Infantino said the average ticket price was under $500 for the tournament, which was comparable to other U.S. sports during their playoffs — a claim that while true for resale prices does not appear to be accurate for list prices.

The World Cup, which is also being co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, will kick off on Thursday at the Estadio Azteca with a match between Mexico and South Africa

Speaking in Mexico City ahead of the World Cup’s opening game at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday, Infantino launched a spirited defense of the organisation of the 48-team extravaganza being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Infantino and FIFA have come in for stinging criticism over the eye-watering costs of World Cup tickets while Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry to the United States.

Infantino insisted that tickets to the tournament – which in some cases have topped $30 000 – had been priced appropriately, citing a small number of $60 tickets that were made available in response to criticism.

“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said.

“Our average price which is below 500 dollars is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”

Infantino also played down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States after arriving in Miami last Saturday following security concerns raised by US immigration authorities.

FIFA has since confirmed Artan, who the US State Department later said had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations,” will play no part in the tournament.

“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.

“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.

“Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution.”

The FIFA leader also portrayed Iran’s participation at the World Cup in the midst of its military conflict with the US as a victory for his organisation.

“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Trump said. “There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances – which we could not influence – Iran could come and play.”

Infantino’s close relationship with US President Trump has also come under scrutiny in the build-up to the tournament.

But Infantino maintained Trump had played a critical role in World Cup preparations.

“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino said of Trump.

In Washington on Wednesday, Trump confirmed he plans to attend some World Cup matches, without providing details.

“I spoke to Gianni this morning… he said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the coming tournament, the US leader said.

MEXICO UNREST

Meanwhile, concerns were rising that Thursday’s opener between hosts Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City could be disrupted by social unrest.

Protesters Tuesday blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca although lines of police prevented the demonstrators from reaching the stadium.

Thousands took part in the demonstration following a week of action that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a “provocation.”

Sheinbaum insisted Wednesday that “everything is under control” for the curtainraiser.

WEATHER DISRUPTION

The spectre of Mother Nature disrupting the tournament also reared up on Wednesday, with England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica delayed after a thunderstorm hit Orlando, Florida.

Torrential rain and lightning flashes forced the kick-off in the game to be delayed, echoing the problems that marred last year’s Club World Cup, where several games were disrupted by weather.

With most teams now already arrived in North America, minnows Haiti were embroiled in controversy just days ahead of their opener against Scotland after being forced to change their kit design.

Haiti were ordered to find another kit after it emerged the team’s shirts depicted the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, violating FIFA rules.

The team’s participation in the World Cup, which begins Thursday and will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has been complicated by the Iran war.

Iran arrived at their training camp in Mexico on Sunday morning from the Turkish city of Antalya on a private jet.

Team Melli were originally going to have their World Cup training base in Tucson, Arizona, but at FIFA’s suggestion, agreed to move their site to the Mexican border city of Tijuana.

While the move allowed Iran’s entire contingent of players and staff to travel to Mexico, 14 staff members were denied visas to enter the United States.

All three of Iran’s group stage games will be held in the U.S.

“I’ve been to three World Cups and they always say once you get off the plane and you enter the host country, there’s just a unique atmosphere of friendliness and global-ness,” Taremi, who was part of the Inter Milan team that lost last season’s Champions League final, told ESPN with the help of a translator.

“Unfortunately, I’m not feeling it right now. There’s a lot of tension right now in this World Cup. You feel it in the atmosphere and unfortunately, it’s because of actions like [visa denials]. Maybe that’s just my personal feeling.”

Iran play their first two games in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on Monday and Belgium six days later. They then head to Seattle to face Egypt on June 26.

Iran and the U.S. could meet in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, if both teams finish second in their groups.

Iran Football Federation vice president Mehdi Mohammed Nabi was among the Iran officials denied visas.

Nabi told ESPN via a translator that Iran was still working with FIFA to resolve the visa issue.

“The team consists of not just the players and the coach, but also supporting people — technical staff, management. We are all a team as one,” he said.

“So FIFA, we’re still pursuing [the visas]. FIFA has acknowledged that, and we’re still looking into this. Hopefully it gets resolved in the next few days. There should be no discrimination in a sport. Everyone should be treated equally and hopefully this is resolved soon.”

A U.S. State Department spokesperson issued the following statement to ESPN regarding the status of visas for the Iran team and staff.

“The visas necessary for Iran to compete in the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff, have been issued,” the statement said. “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretenses.

“Due to visa record confidentiality, we have no comment on Department actions with respect to specific cases.”

“The Department of State adjudicates applications for visas that allow foreign nationals to travel to a U.S. port of entry to request admission from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP makes determinations about foreign nationals’ eligibility to enter the United States.”

ESPN has sought comment from FIFA on the status of the remaining visas.

Iran’s preparations for the World Cup have been significantly disrupted by the war that began on Feb. 28, when Israel and the U.S. engaged in airstrikes against Iran.

Iran has since responded with attacks on U.S. military bases in the region, as well as civilian and energy infrastructure in countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Since the outbreak of the war, the Iran domestic league was shut down, sending the national team to neighboring Türkiye for training. Iran’s participation in the World Cup was in doubt for several months, but FIFA has all along insisted that Iran would participate, and that looks to be the case. Nabi said Iran are fully focused on the World Cup.

“We don’t allow our players to get distracted. [They] stay focused on the game,” Nabi said. “Our players are professional and they focus on the training and regimen and the program we have and they don’t get distracted by the things that are happening outside.”

But forward Alireza Jahanbakhsh told ESPN that the war has made focusing on the World Cup challenging.

“It’s been very difficult, I’ll be honest with you, for every single one of us with the whole situation,” Jahanbakhsh told ESPN. “You have to keep checking on your family, on your loved ones, on your people back home and of course it’s affecting the group.

“As Team Melli, we try to do everything to make our people happy, especially in this situation.”

The Los Angeles area is home to approximately 140,000 Iranian expatriates. Taremi said he hoped the community would cheer on Team Melli, and that he was playing for Iranians everywhere.

“Obviously some people outside Iran, in the war, maybe they are against the government, but we are all Iranian,” Taremi said in English. “We are united and we are looking for the peace. I think they will come there to support us and we have to make them happy and bring joy for them.”

In addition to the dispute over visas, Iran’s football federation said on Tuesday that FIFA revoked the ticket allocation for Iran fans at the team’s three World Cup games in the United States.

Iran’s allotment of tickets for supporters was to be 8% of stadium capacity.

A source with knowledge of FIFA’s approach told ESPN that because of the economic sanctions applied by the U.S. against Iran, the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control prevents U.S.-based entities such as the FIFA26 organizers from processing transactions involving residents of Iran.

This includes the sale of Iran’s allotment of tickets to the team’s fans. FIFA is attempting to allow fans of Iran that live outside the country to be able to purchase tickets from Iran’s allocation.

“FIFA is working closely with the IR Iran Football Federation to identify compliant solutions that maximize opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches,” FIFA said in a statement.

A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News last week that all players on the Iranian team were approved for visas.

The Associated Press also reported that a U.S. official said visas had been issued for players, coaches, trainers and some support staff, while another official suggested that some applicants affiliated with the team had been rejected for requesting visas “under false pretenses.”

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the visas publicly.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that the Iranian delegation would be monitored closely for anyone with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“We have no problem with the athletes, as we stated earlier, or their support staff,” Rubio said during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing. “But what we’re not going to allow is for them to embed in their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature.

“So we were going to watch that very closely, and we’ll continue to watch that very closely.”

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico said on Saturday that the squad had been notified that, under their visa conditions, the team must enter and leave U.S. soil on the same day as their matches.

But an Iran football federation spokesperson told ESPN that this wasn’t the case.

For the team’s opening match against New Zealand, the team will fly into Los Angeles on June 14, and then depart the day after the match.

Similar arrangements have been made for Iran’s remaining group stage matches.

The 34-year-old, who was set to become the first man from his country to play an on-pitch role at the finals, was turned away by border officials in Miami despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single-entry US visa.

“Every referee’s ambition is to go to the World Cup,” Artan told BBC Somali in an interview last week before leaving home.

“When you are selected, you feel that all your hard work was worth it. It was a moment where everything came into focus.

“Years of effort finally made sense.”

Artan, who was named the best male referee in Africa last year and took charge of two matches at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), had been hailed as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis” by the country’s President Hassan Mohamud after being included in the list of Fifa match officials.

The Somali government is mounting diplomatic efforts in a bid to resolve the issue, but Artan looks set to be excluded from the World Cup after rising through the officiating ranks in a country which has been troubled by conflict in recent decades.

The US State Department told BBC Africa that it welcomes “legitimate travellers” to the World Cup and adjudicates each visa application on a case-by-case basis “after rigorous review and thorough vetting”.

It also cited “national security and public safety” as other factors in their visa process.

For now Artan remains in Turkey’s main city Istanbul following his removal from US soil, but it is believed he will return to Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Wednesday.

• An important mentor

Artan’s refereeing career began in Mogadishu on neighbourhood pitches after a leg injury ended his playing days.

He unexpectedly first picked up a whistle during a local match when a dispute over the referee prompted players on both sides to ask him to take over. He accepted and remained in the role.

Artan went on to officiate in organised competitions in the city, although much of his early development came while overseeing informal and semi-organised fixtures.

A key influence in his early career was Osman Jama Dirac, the former head of referees in Somalia.

Dirac provided technical guidance and personal support during a period when Somali football operated with limited institutional structure and little international exposure.

“He was like a father to us,” Artan said.

“He did not just lead referees, he took care of us. If you were in Mogadishu and had nothing, he would make sure you ate, he would take you to a restaurant.”

However, Dirac was killed in August 2017.

Artan has spoken of the timing with restraint.

“It was very hard,” he said.

“He was preparing me to become an international [referee]. He would have been proud to see a Somali reaching this level.”

• Rising through the continental game

Getty Images

Artan refereed three matches at the 2023 Afcon, and two at the 2025 edition of the finals

Artan became a Fifa-listed referee in 2018 and steadily moved through the African game, overseeing high-profile continental fixtures.

In January 2024, he became the first Somali to referee at an Afcon game, taking charge of the Group E match between Tunisia and Namibia.

He was recognised by Confederation of African Football (Caf) as its top male official in November, before being appointed by the continent’s governing body to oversee the second leg of the African Champions League final between Moroccan club AS FAR and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns last month.

In April, praise came from President Mohamud after Artan was named among the 52 referees for the World Cup.

“I commend the effort, professionalism, and integrity shown by referee Omar,” Mohamud said.

It was certainly a proud moment for Artan – and one he knew was a milestone achievement.

“It was not just my joy,” he said.

“My family, Somali people, the federation and young referees all shared that feeling. It became hope for them that a Somali referee can reach that level.”

In the months leading up to the tournament, Artan described an intensive preparation routine.

“Every morning I was on the pitch,” he explained.

“Preparation for the World Cup is not small work… physically, mentally, and in knowledge.

“In World Cup football you are dealing with world-class referees at the highest level. You have to reach that standard and stay there.”

Refused entry

Getty Images

Artan was part of the officiating team for the Under-20 World Cup in Chile last year, and received recognition from Fifa referees chief Pierluigi Collina (second left) after refereeing the third-place play-off

Artan set off for the World Cup via Turkey on Saturday, intending to attend a pre-tournament seminar in Miami where Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina has created a training base for the referees and 88 assistant referees selected for the finals.

But Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by US President Donald Trump’s administration, and Artan ran into difficulties on arrival in Florida.

He told the New York Times he was questioned by immigration officials for 11 hours, with the Al-Qaeda-aligned militant group al-Shabab one of the main topics raised by border and customs officers.

Artan was placed on a return flight after US immigration officials cited “vetting concerns”.

All on-pitch officials at the World Cup must be based at Fifa’s Miami hub for training, preparation and security, and that requirement means it would not be possible for Artan to only be assigned to games which are being played in Canada or Mexico.

Fifa appears powerless to intervene in the Somali’s case.

“Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” the game’s world governing body said in a statement on Monday.

“A host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

Somalia’s government says it is “deeply saddened” by the circumstances while Artan expressed gratitude to the “football family” for their messages of support.

“I would like to thank Fifa and Caf for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said in his own statement issued to Reuters.

“I wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”

Africa will now be represented by six referees at the tournament, which kicks off on Thursday and runs until 19 July, with those officials coming from Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Mauritania, Morocco and South Africa.

But Omar Artan will not join them after a historic moment for him and Somalia was scuppered by US immigration officials.

But not a referee.

The tournament is supposed to bring together the best of the best in football – players, coaches and officials.

Omar Artan is the number one referee from Africa. He will not be allowed to officiate at the World Cup.

Artan, from Somalia, flew into Miami to join up with the other 51 referees. After what he says was an 11-hour grilling by immigration officials, he was put back on a plane.

“It is pretty clear that the fears of an ideological and discriminatory visa policy from the US government is being realised,” said Piara Powar, executive director of discrimination campaign group Fare.

“Never have we seen the farce of an official Fifa referee being refused entry as he arrives for final preparations.”

Concerns remain about the potential presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at stadiums and how fans could be affected.

With 48 hours still to go until the World Cup kicks off, does Fifa have little control about what will happen outside the stadiums?

Artan earned his World Cup dream

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Omar Artan has refereed several major games over the past 12 months, including the African Champions League final and the third-place play-off of the U-20 World Cup in Chile

After the controversy of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition was supposed to give everyone a chance to concentrate on the football.

Remarkably, this World Cup is in danger of being more controversial.

The astronomical cost of tickets, a subpoena over ticket practices, criticism of Fifa over hotel bookings and transport prices have dogged the build-up.

But this story is about a member of Fifa’s own delegation being subjected to hours of questioning before being put on a flight back to from where they came.

Artan had a year to remember in 2025, becoming the first Somali to take charge of a continental final.

In June 2025, he officiated the second leg of Pyramids FC’s African Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

Fifa appointed Artan to the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he took charge of three matches including the third-place play-off.

At the end of the year he refereed two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations, having also officiated at the tournament in 2024.

Then in March 2026, Artan received the ultimate accolade which should have been the pinnacle of his career.

“Every referee’s ambition is to go to the World Cup,” Artan told BBC Somali in an interview last week.

“When you are selected, you feel that all your hard work was worth it. Years of effort finally made sense.”

Artan should have become the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup. Instead, he is en route back to the capital, Mogadishu.

Artan told the New York Times, how he faced an 11-hour immigration interview, and was then detained for several hours.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”

The referee’s story tells us that no-one is going to receive special treatment from this administration. That includes national team delegates and supporters.

“Every few hours it’s another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs,” former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright posted on Instagram.

“This is a World Cup of chaos.”

When Trump referred to Somalis as ‘garbage’

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has ingratiated himself with United States President Donald Trump over the past two years.

Trump was controversially awarded the first-ever Fifa Peace Prize, handed out during the World Cup draw ceremony in December.

Just a few weeks later, American forces captured the Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro following strikes on the country at the start of the year.

Then in February, the US joined forces with Israel to launch attacks on Iran. For the first time, a World Cup host will be at war with one of the visiting nations.

When Trump first took office as president in 2017, one of his first executive orders was to ban travel by foreign nationals from seven majority-Muslim countries – including Somalia.

At that time, Infantino suggested such a move could invalidate a country’s World Cup hosting rights.

“It’s obvious when it comes to Fifa competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup, need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup,” Infantino said.

In 2023, Fifa did strip Indonesia of hosting rights for the U-20 World Cup after Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to allow the Israel team to stay.

Infantino’s previous words now seem hollow when it comes to the US.

In June 2025, Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category, covering 12 countries – including Somalia and three World Cup finalists (DR Congo, Iran and Haiti).

Comments made by Trump just two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025 drew widespread attention.

An immigration enforcement operation was being planned in Minnesota, home to a large community of Somalis.

Trump said: “With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything. They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure.”

The president added that the Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from” and that the US would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country”.

Against this backdrop as a Somali national, Artan’s position has long been in the making.

Fifa said it “is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications”.

But it raises questions, considering the background, about how Fifa allowed it to get to this stage.

How could one of its own referees travel to the tournament and be turned away at immigration?

​​​​​​​Concerns remain at extent of immigration crackdown

In the past, World Cup hosts have tended to give Fifa what they want – and that includes easy access for officials and supporters.

It has been the case with two of the most divisive World Cups, in Russia and Qatar.

Indeed, Russia positively rolled out the red carpet in 2018, removing any need for a visa.

All supporters required was a valid passport and personalised card known as a ‘Fan ID’ to prove they were travelling for the football.

In Qatar, fans needed a Hayya card – serving a dual purpose as a pre-screened travel entry document and an entry pass to games.

That is not the case in the United States, with claims that barriers have consistently put fans off making the trip.

“You’re supposed to be welcoming fans from around the world,” Thomas Concannon, who leads the FSA’s England fans’ group, told BBC Sport in April.

“And I think at this stage, fans couldn’t feel less welcome.”

It is not even as though Trump inherited the tournament from another administration. It was endorsed and backed by his presidency, with the intention to bid lodged a few months after he took office in 2017.

What has changed is the sheer extent of the immigration crackdown.

Trump is happy to take the plaudits for the glitz and the glamour of the World Cup, but it will not distract from that key aim.

It is not just Artan who cannot get into the United States. Supporters of Iraq, which is not on the banned list, have described how they have given up trying to get into the country.

Iran, meanwhile, on Tuesday said its allocation of tickets for the group stage has been revoked, because of a decision taken by US authorities.

It seems clear that this Trump administration has placed immigration above anything else – including this World Cup.

The next test will come on Sunday, when Iran are due to fly into the United States for the first time.

Iran has accused the US of denying visas to 15 “integral” members of their backroom staff.

The squad are permitted to fly in and out of the country from Tijuana in Mexico within 24 hours for each match – but this has yet to be tested.

If a team cannot attend their own game, it would be another unprecedented twist.

“Never have we seen so many World Cup coaches, team operations, fans and even senior administrators within Fifa member associations, subject to so much interrogation and exclusion,” Fare’s Powar added.

“The disruption is such that one has to ask who is running the World Cup. Is it Fifa or is it the US government with its racially charged immigration policies?”

As Fifa cannot get all of its referees into the country, it feels like the US government is in control.

For Roozbeh Farahanipour, there is no separating football from politics.

Before Iran has kicked a ball in Los Angeles, the team’s presence at this World Cup – being hosted across North America – is already fraught.

Even the issue of flags displayed inside stadiums has become an issue of intense debate, after Fifa prohibited fans from flying a certain banner that it deems to be too political.

Farahanipour, an Iranian-American activist and chief executive of the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, fled Iran in 2000 after years of political activism.

Since then, he has built a life in Los Angeles, home to one of the world’s largest Iranian communities outside Iran – and the city in which the first two of the team’s group-stage matches will take place.

The neighbourhood of Westwood, on Los Angeles’ west side, has long been known as “Tehrangeles”.

Farahanipour’s opposition to the government in Tehran is deeply personal.

“My mother was killed. My cousin and friends were killed,” he says. “There is no peace between me and this regime.”

Yet he rejects the idea that the answer lies in war – reflecting on the conflict that broke out on 28 February after the US and Israel attacked Iran.

“I hate this regime and I hate this war,” he says. “Nothing justifies killing innocent people.”

Those contradictions are becoming increasingly familiar for Iranian Americans as Iran prepare to play those two matches in LA, and a third in Seattle.

These are difficult times to be an Iranian football fan, especially here in the US.

Iran is a football-loving nation, and many here have followed Team Melli, the country’s national team, for years.

But this World Cup arrives amid a fragile ceasefire, continuing hostility between Iran, the United States and Israel, and deep divisions over what Iran’s team represents.

Image caption: There have been protests in Los Angeles prior to the World Cup

Outside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where Iran will face New Zealand on 15 June, those tensions are on full display.

Opponents of the government in Tehran have gathered waving the Lion and Sun flag. It was Iran’s flag from before the 1979 Islamic revolution, and for many here, a symbol of resistance to the current regime.

From a distance, they look like Iranian flags.

But a closer look reveals the symbol at the heart of the dispute.

For protesters here, the Lion and Sun represents Iran.

“It is a stance against the Islamic Republic. This is the real flag of Iran,” says Arezo Rashidian, one of the protest organisers.

The emblem on the national team’s jerseys, they argue, represents a government they want gone. That post-revolution flag has the same green, white and red stripes but also features the Islamic emblem of four crescents and a sword in red. The Arabic inscription “Allahu Akbar” – which translates to “Allah is the greatest” and is recited by Muslims during prayer – is also featured on the flag.

Many of those gathered outside SoFi Stadium accuse the Islamic Republic of using sport to project legitimacy abroad while repressing dissent at home.

“Regime change is the goal. We’re here to show solidarity with the people of Iran,” says Rashidian.

She says they are against “the mass killings of individuals protesting freely,” referring to the anti-government protests in January and February and the widespread crackdown by the regime forces which resulted in thousands of deaths.

At the time, state officials acknowledged several thousand casualties, while activist groups and medical sources documented mass shootings, overwhelmed hospitals, and leaked mortuary records indicating the true scale of the violence.

Around her, demonstrators chant against Iran’s leadership and call for democracy and freedom.

Some carry placards reading: “Shame on Fifa.”

Football’s governing body has banned the Lion and Sun flag inside World Cup stadiums, classifying it as a political symbol under tournament rules.

“We’re in the United States – the land of the free,” says Farahanipour. “The First Amendment guarantees freedom of expression and speech. Fifa should not interfere when people want to express themselves.”

The Iranian Football Federation reportedly made “respect for the official Iranian flag”, one of its conditions for taking part in the tournament.

Separating the team from the regime

The players themselves have repeatedly called for politics to be kept out of football.

But for many of the protesters gathered outside SoFi Stadium, that is impossible.

Almost everyone the BBC speaks to insists they cannot separate Team Melli from the government they say it represents.

“I wish I could” Tannaz Parsi says, getting emotional.

“This is not an easy thing for us to do – demonstrating against our people – these are our kids” she says, referring to the players. “But they put their hands with the Islamic republic.”

While Farahanipour says that the team is being used as a propaganda tool for the regime, he admits the situation is not straightforward.

“The players are Iranian athletes. They are talented people. I respect them individually,” he says.

“But when they wear the uniform of the regime, to me, they represent the regime.”

But he says he has sympathy for the athletes who will play on American soil against one of the most politically charged backdrops any team at this World Cup will face.

“I feel bad for them,” Farahanipour says. “They have to play under so much pressure.”

When asked whether he can imagine separating the team from the government, his answer comes quickly.

“Only if they separate themselves from the Islamic Republic’s anthem and flag.”

When Iran plays here, football will be the centre of focus. But geopolitics will be hovering over the stadium.

“To go to a match, a stadium, a crowd, cheering, and see my team – that is worth the world to me,” he says. “It’s a feeling that no other feeling can compare to.” This is only the second time Iraq has qualified for the World Cup – the first was in 1986.

But getting a visa is proving difficult.

And Adnan is not alone. Fans from more than a quarter of the countries taking part in the World Cup are facing travel bans, tighter restrictions or high visa rejection rates, analysis of travel data by the BBC World Service shows.

However, Iraq is not on Trump’s travel ban list, so in Adnan’s case, the obstacle was an unexpected one.

After the start of the US-Israel war with Iran, the US suspended routine consular services in Iraq due to concerns about security in the region. This means there is nowhere in the country where Adnan and other Iraqi fans can get visas, as they have to attend an in-person interview.

So Adnan travelled to neighbouring Jordan to try to get a visa at the US embassy there. But when he arrived for his appointment, staff told him that because he wasn’t a Jordanian citizen, that embassy could not give him a visa.

The tickets for the match and the trip to Jordan cost him about $1,800 (£1,300).

Adnan considered applying for visa in Turkey, but the process could take up to two weeks, he decided that he couldn’t spend that much time away from home. He has given up on trying to get a visa.

Fans from several countries have told the BBC World Service that other obstacles are also causing widespread anger and upset.

Julien Kouadio Adonis

Julien Kouadio Adonis, pictured with members of the Ivory Coast’s fan association, says travel restrictions are “a form of segregation”

One of the barriers is President Trump’s list with bans and greater restrictions on visas for certain countries, including four competing at the World Cup – Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Ivory Coast. This means their citizens are barred from receiving the type of visitor visa that US authorities recommend for fans.

Strict immigration policies and a clampdown on undocumented migrants were a key part of Trump’s re-election campaign in 2024. US authorities say their system needs to be rigorous due to the challenges they face in managing the huge flow of people that cross the country’s borders.

Julien Kouadio Adonis from the Ivory Coast’s fan association, the National Committee for the Support of the Elephants says: “It’s a form of segregation that doesn’t dare speak its name, but the proof is there.

“No European country has faced this kind of restriction. Why Africa?”

His association normally sends a group of fans to the World Cup but decided not to bother even trying to go to the US because of the regulations.

Although he is relieved they will avoid what he called “exorbitant” ticket prices, Adonis believes a country that doesn’t want to welcome supporters from qualifying teams shouldn’t be allowed to host the World Cup.

“Football is a spectacle and a spectacle needs people watching,” he says.

Forty-two generally wealthier countries benefit from a visa waiver programme, where applications are made online through the US’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta). This costs about $40 (£30). There are no African countries on this list.

The visa that the US recommends for World Cup fans who need one costs $185 (£137) and applicants must attend an in-person interview. The State Department says they must demonstrate “your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/ or your ability to pay all costs of the trip”.

Aliou Ngom

Senegalese fan Aliou Ngom felt there was no point even applying for a visa to see his team, known as Les Lions de la Teranga, play in the US

However, in May the US announced it would drop the requirement for deposits of up to $15,000 (£11,000) for people from World Cup qualifying countries Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia, provided they have valid World Cup tickets. Supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast had to secure visas before December, after which the restrictions began.

Seneglese fan Aliou Ngom has been to the last two World Cups in Qatar and Russia. For him, one of the highlights of the tournament is seeing “cultures coming together from all over the world”.

A training camp in the US for Senegal’s women’s basketball team was cancelled last year when several players were denied a visa, and like Adonis, Ngom thought there was little point him applying for a visa as fan.

BBC analysis of US State Department data found that the visa rejection rate for citizens of 11 of the 48 countries that have qualified for the World Cup was higher than 40%. This includes applicants of all kinds, not just World Cup hopefuls.

That compares to an average rejection rate for B1 business and B2 tourist visa applications – the type recommended for fans going to the tournament – from all countries of 34%.

The data covers the year from October 2024 to the end of September 2025, so does not take in football fans who applied in the last eight months. The 11 countries are Ecuador, Egypt, Haiti, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Senegal.

With a high rejection rate, it is hard for fans from these countries to know whether to risk spending a lot of money on match tickets before applying for a visa, which they might not get.

If they do buy tickets directly from Fifa, they can resell them on the Fifa website for a fee if they need and can use the Fifa Pass system to speed up the visa application process.

“Fifa Pass is a positive step because it tries to move ticket holders into priority visa interview appointments,” says Celine Atallah, who runs an immigration law firm based near Boston in Massachusetts.

But she adds that while it makes the process faster, it doesn’t make it any more likely a visa will be approved.

“The visa system is the invisible gatekeeper of the World Cup,” Atallah says. “Fifa can sell a ticket, but the US government decides who gets a visa, and CBP [Customs and Border Protection] decides who actually enters.”

Even with a visa, anyone travelling to the US is not guaranteed entry on arrival, as border officials can still turn people away.

Abu Kass is the head of the football fan association for Jordan, a country where 57% of visa applications for the US were refused in the year to the end of September 2025.

“They’ve been rejecting people over the past three to four months,” he says, adding that he doesn’t know of a single supporter who has received a visa. The Jordanian supporters association in the US told the BBC it only knew of one Jordanian fan who had received a visa.

Kass says he took more than 42 documents with him to his visa appointment in the Jordanian capital Amman, where his application was rejected. The US does not give a reason when it refuses a visa.

“This World Cup is not ours,” says Kass. “It’s not for Arabs this World Cup, it’s for them. If the head of the fan association was refused, who will be accepted?”

Ameen Ahmed/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Jordan qualified for the first time when they beat Oman in June 2025

A State Department spokesman told the BBC that the administration was “prepared to welcome visitors from around the globe for the largest and greatest Fifa World Cup in history” and that “most overseas fans did not need to use Fifa Pass because they are nationals of Canada or one of the 42 countries that qualify for visa-free travel” or already held a visa.

It said that in every case “we will take the time necessary to ensure an applicant does not pose a risk to the safety and security of the United States” and that “we adjudicate each visa application on a case-by-case basis after rigorous review and thorough vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible under US law”.

The Department of Homeland Security is concerned about people remaining in the country after visas have expired and says there were more than 538,000 “overstay events” between October 2023 and September 2024. The Pew Research Center estimates that in 2023, before President Trump’s crackdown on undocumented migrants, there were 14 million immigrants living illegally in the US.

Countries that hosted the last four World Cups set up special visa systems for fans, although approval for travel documents was still not guaranteed.

Canada and Mexico are joint hosts of the tournament, but 78 of the 104 matches, including the final, will be played in cities across the US.

Canada and Mexico’s own immigration and visa schemes differ from those in the US. Neither have issued travel bans for specific countries, although Canada, like the US, has recently put entry restrictions on countries affected by the recent Ebola outbreak in Africa, which includes World Cup qualifiers Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Canada requires people to submit biometric data for visa applications and there are two countries that qualified for the World Cup, Iran and Cape Verde, where Canada does not have any facilities where people can be scanned.

Canada does not break down visa refusal rates by visa type or country but it’s overall rate for 2025 was 54%.

Mexico does not publish visa refusal data. It requires applicants to apply in-person at an embassy or consulate. Of the countries that qualified for the World Cup there are eight – Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia and Iraq – where Mexico does not have a diplomatic presence for people to go to.

US officials said visas had been issued to players and “necessary support staff” on Friday, 10 days before Iran’s opening fixture in Los Angeles on 15 June.

It also said Iran would not be allowed to “abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences”.

Iran’s embassy in Turkey accused the US of “politically biased interference in sport” by denying further visas to a “large portion of the managerial and executive staff” and “technical advisers”.

A statement described the US announcement as a “whitewash”, adding: “You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”

Iranian embassy officials called on Fifa, football’s world governing body, to intervene.

Iranian state-linked media said the head of the football federation and his deputy were among those were denied entry to the US.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, begins on 11 June, with Iran securing their place by finishing top of their qualification group in March 2025, almost a year before war broke out.

It will be the first iteration of the competition to see a host nation receive the team of a country it is at war with.

In late May, Iran moved its training base to Mexico from Tucson, Arizona.

Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Iran’s football delegation would not be allowed to include individuals linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards – a powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces.

Several players in the Iranian squad have completed mandatory military service with the group.

Iran are also due to play Belgium in California and Egypt in Seattle in their other two group games.

The senior national team departed Cardiff on Wednesday, June 3, after several weeks of training aimed at sharpening the squad for the global tournament.

The delegation, comprising players, technical staff, and officials, is now based in Providence, Rhode Island, where preparations for the next phase of their build-up will continue.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz travelled with his final 26-man squad, which was confirmed on Monday, June 1, bringing clarity to the group that will carry Ghana’s ambitions into the competition.

Before leaving Wales, Ghana concluded a key phase of preparations with a friendly at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, June 2.

Caleb Yirenkyi opened the scoring in the second half, but the Black Stars were later pegged back after defensive lapses allowed Lewis Koumas to restore parity for the home side.

With that match behind them, focus now shifts fully to tactical refinement and strengthening team cohesion ahead of the World Cup.

Ghana are expected to play another preparatory friendly against Jamaica on June 10 as part of their final tune-up schedule.

The Black Stars, who will be making their fifth World Cup appearance, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. They open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

The four-time African champions will be hoping to surpass their previous best performance at the tournament—reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.

The squad has spent close to two weeks in camp in the United Kingdom, where they focused on tactical drills and fitness conditioning ahead of the global tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz named his final 26-man squad on Monday, June 1, confirming the players set to represent Ghana at the World Cup.

The team rounded off their UK preparations on Tuesday, June 2, with a friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Caleb Yirenkyi gave Ghana the lead in the second half, but late defensive lapses allowed Wales forward Lewis Koumas to salvage a draw for the hosts.

Following the match, the Black Stars have now travelled to their next training base in Providence, Rhode Island, where final tactical preparations will continue ahead of the tournament.

Ghana are expected to play a final warm-up fixture against Jamaica on June 10 before heading into competitive action.

The four-time African champions will be making their fifth World Cup appearance and have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

They open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

Ghana will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since their historic quarter-final run at the 2010 World Cup.

The US, along with Canada and Mexico, is co-hosting the tournament which kicks off June 11, with hopes high that stars like Christian Pulisic can lead the home side deep into the knockout stages.

Though there are no minnows among World Cup opponents Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, anything less than progress beyond Group D would be an embarrassment for the US men’s national team.

The American public’s expectations had been deflated by recent friendly losses to Portugal and Belgium, and a longstanding poor track record against the most elite sides.

But Sunday’s win – Pochettino’s second as US coach against top-15 opposition, after beating Uruguay in November – could prove as useful boosting morale among supporters as within the Team USA set-up, the coach said.

“The good feelings with that victory, I think it’s more important for the environment than for us,” said Pochettino.

“For us it’s important always to win. But it is important also for the environment to trust a little bit after the last two games, against Belgium and Portugal.”

He added: “Today… we saw the commitment of everyone there. We have attitude and commitment, we have the talent, we have players that have enormous talent.”

Former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino took over the US team at a low ebb in September 2024.

After the dismal failure of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, the US had won the 2021 Gold Cup and three consecutive Nations Leagues.

But after a respectable showing at the 2022 World Cup under coach Gregg Berhalter, the wheels came off spectacularly, with multiple early tournament exits leading to the dramatic hiring of the Argentine.

Pochettino shook up a staid dressing room, scouring Major League Soccer for up-and-coming talent that could offer vital competition – or alternatives – to established stars.

Even US talisman Pulisic has come under pressure and scrutiny in recent months.

The AC Milan forward had not scored a single goal in 2026, and had not struck for the US since 2024. He managed a goal and an assist Sunday before being withdrawn at half time.

“The performance of Christian in 45 minutes was really, really good,” said Pochettino.

“I think he has still potential of to improve but in the way that he’s training (from) day one, I felt that was what he needed.”

“I’m so happy for him also because after the long time, a few months, he scored again, which is important for a player, knowing the preparation to the World Cup,” added the coach.

Sergino Dest, playing in a more forward role than his typical defensive duties permit, scored on his return from injury, while first-choice striker Folarin Balogun added a third off the bench in the second half.

 ‘THE RIGHT ATTITUDE’ 

The confidence boost of fending off Africa Cup of Nations finalists Senegal comes at a crucial time, with the US about to face the challenge of arguably the World Cup’s most evenly matched and competitive group.

Before that, Pochettino’s men face another daunting friendly against Germany in Chicago this Saturday.

“In one week, we are going to face another amazing national team like Germany,” said the coach.

But “to be honest, it doesn’t matter if we face Germany or another team.”

“Why? Because in different (previous) games, we were the problem. Not to be in the right place, with the right commitment and with the right attitude, being a very solid group, and being all together, like we showed today.”

“The health and safety of every person ​in the region remains our highest priority as we welcome ​the world to North America,” they said in the statement, ⁠which did not detail the aligned measures.

The World Health Organization on ​Sunday, May 17, declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of ​Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and said there was a high risk it could spread to neighboring countries.

The decision has prompted governments to step up ​travel-related containment measures.

Washington last week banned non-citizens who had traveled to ​the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in recent weeks from entering the United States. ‌On , ⁠the ban was extended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to green card holders who have been in those countries in the previous 21 days.

Canada has banned residents from the DRC, Uganda and South ​Sudan from entering ​the country for ⁠90 days, which started on Wednesday.

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and other foreign nationals who have been in affected ​areas in recent weeks and do not have symptoms ​will ⁠have to quarantine for 21 days from May 30, according to a statement from Canada’s public health agency.

Mexico’s Health Secretary David Kershenovich on Monday outlined ⁠tighter ​Ebola screening measures at airports, urging the public ​to avoid travel to DRC and asking arrivals from the country to observe a 21-day ​quarantine.

The 54-year-old Argentine is currently preparing for the World Cup with the United States, but his contract expires after the tournament and the Serie A side have an interest.

Pochettino’s immediate focus is on this summer’s finals, which are co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, but an eventual return to club football may interest the former Tottenham and Chelsea head coach.

His last club spell was as Chelsea boss for the 2023-24 season, with the Blues finishing sixth in the Premier League and losing the Carabao Cup final to Liverpool.

Before that he was at Paris St-Germain for a season and a half, winning the Ligue 1 title and French Cup.

He also had a five-and-a-half-year spell at Tottenham and reached the 2019 Champions League final, only for Spurs to lose 2-0 to Liverpool.

Pochettino, who has also managed Espanyol in Spain and Southampton, was a defender during his playing career and made 20 appearances for Argentina.

AC Milan sacked Allegri earlier this week after failing to qualify for the Champions League, in a season the club’s hierarchy described as an “unequivocal failure”.

Milan dropped from third place to fifth in Serie A after a 2-1 home defeat by Cagliari on the final day to miss out on the elite European competition for the second year in a row, although they did secure a Europa League spot.

According to The Athletic, the former Tottenham and Paris St-Germain boss emailed players who were left out.

In contrast, Pochettino sent video messages to the 26 players included in the squad.

Speaking on ESPN’s Futbol Americas show, former US forward Herculez Gomez – who praised ex-US manager Jurgen Klinsmann for informing him of his omission from the 2014 World Cup squad via voicemail – said it was inexcusable for Pochettino not to call those players he cut.

Pochettino defended himself during a news conference, arguing that players would not want to speak to him immediately after being cut.

“When I was a player, when I didn’t make the roster I didn’t want my coach to call me,” Pochettino said.

“The players who didn’t make the roster, they don’t want to hear me say ‘I apologise’. What are you going to say? Am I going to lie?

“I care. Do you know why I care? Because during [the past] two weeks I didn’t sleep.

“And today, still I cannot enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me, because I am thinking of players that are out.

“If I call, it’s about myself. I say, ‘Oh, I call, I am very human about calling and then giving an explanation’.”

The World Cup co-hosts open their Group D campaign against Paraguay on 13 June before matches against Australia and Turkey.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran Football Federation, announced the decision Saturday in a statement issued by the federation’s media relations official. FIFA has not confirmed the move.

Iran had been scheduled to train in Tucson, Arizona, but a move has been a possibility because of uncertainty surrounding the war in the Middle East and security concerns. Officials at Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex had no comment.

The federation says the team will now be based in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego. This year’s World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved FIFA,” Taj said in his statement. “Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar meeting we had yesterday in the Tehran with the respected FIFA secretary general, our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved.”

Iran plays Group G games in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium six days later, then faces Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

Team Melli is appearing in its fourth straight World Cup and seventh overall. It has never advanced past the first round.

Iran’s federation said moving the base camp will resolve potential visa issues since the team will enter the U.S. through Mexico. The president said that the team “may even be able to travel to and from Mexico using Iran Air flights.”

Teams use base camps for training ahead of and after matches.

Thousands of fans attended a departure rally for the squad in Tehran on Wednesday, before the tournament – co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico – starts on 11 June.

The US is at war with Iran, although the countries are in the midst of a month-long ceasefire.

Taj said the “visa issue has still not been resolved”.

“Tomorrow or the day after, we will have a decisive meeting with Fifa. They must give us guarantees,” he told state news agency IRNA.

“We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet.”

Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June – both in Los Angeles – and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. The team will be based in Tucson, Arizona.

The war has led to uncertainty around Iran’s participation in the World Cup, but Fifa president Gianni Infantino said at Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver last month: “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

Iran were the only country not represented at the congress after a delegation of Iranian FA (FFIRI) officials, including Taj, were turned away at the Canadian border.

Taj said the decision to return home was their own choice after what they felt was disrespectful treatment by immigration officials.

Canada’s immigration minister told parliament that Taj’s visa was cancelled while he was flying because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Iran players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.

The FFIRI has since presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation at the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the IRGC to receive visas.

The world governing body and World Cup organiser has confirmed that it is in talks with national associations over improved funding, with the proposals expected to be rubber-stamped at the FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver on April 28.

In December, FIFA announced a record World Cup prize fund of $727million (£539m), with each of the 48 competing teams receiving a minimum of $10.5m and the winners pocketing $50m. Since then, discussions have continued with national associations with a view to reaching a resolution before the FIFA Congress on April 30.

On April 1, The Athletic reported that UEFA, European football’s governing body, was lobbying FIFA to increase World Cup prize money and overall financial support for federations competing at the tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

UEFA was responding to concerns from several of its member associations about the substantial costs associated with these finals, including the price of travel, operations and tax in the U.S. in particular.

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But FIFA sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, insisted that the increase in prize money was not a reaction to UEFA’s lobbying, nor because the organisation had been put under pressure from elsewhere.

The sources said FIFA reached the decision independently – on the back of projected revenues of over $11billion (£8.15bn) from the tournament, which will run from June 11 to July 19.

FIFA is a not-for-profit organisation and earlier this month its president, Gianni Infantino, responded to criticism of high ticket prices at the tournament by insisting that all revenue generated would be returned to the game.

The increase in funding for competing teams comes after The Athletic reported on March 10 that FIFA had cut over $100m from its operating budget for the World Cup, with multiple departments at the organisation’s U.S. headquarters in Miami asked to make “efficiencies”.

These cutbacks have raised questions about the financial impact on fans and hosts cities, with many U.S. cities having already had to downscale their plans for the tournament over budgeting concerns.

The official FIFA Fan Fest slated by the New York/New Jersey host committee for Liberty State Park has been cancelled, Seattle has scaled back its plans, and of the other U.S. host cities, only Philadelphia and Houston are fulfilling the 39-day-long festival they originally signed up to organise.

A FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic: “Ahead of a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on 28 April 2026, FIFA can confirm it is in discussions with associations around the world to increase available revenues.

“This includes a proposed increase of financial contributions to all qualified teams for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and of development funding available to all 211 member associations.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community and FIFA is proud to be in its strongest ever financial position to benefit the global game through its FIFA Forward programme.

“Subject to discussions, further details will be provided in due course.”

More than 120 organisations have collectively issued a ‘travel advisory’ driven by what they say is “the Trump administration’s violent and abusive immigration crackdown”.

“The Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence pose serious risks to all,” the message states.

It adds minority groups in particular are “vulnerable to serious harm”, and is critical of Gianni Infantino, president of football’s world governing body Fifa, for his close ties to US President Donald Trump.

The coalition, which includes the American Civil Liberties Union, has called on Fifa to put pressure on US authorities “to respect the fundamental human rights of every person visiting and attending the games”.

US officials have not yet commented on the groups’ travel advisory, but Fifa says it is “committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights”.

Fifa said it has a “commitment to human rights across all key activities and actors connected to the tournament”, citing several documents and advisory groups it has set up to address human rights issues.

The rights groups warn travellers about what they say is the potential for denial of entry to the country and risk of arrest, travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, social media screening, racial profiling, and increased surveillance.

There are travel bans on nationals from four of the countries taking part in the tournament: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast.

The groups say travellers should take steps including removing sensitive information from phones and keeping friends and family updated about their plans when travelling.

The United States is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, with 78 of the 104 scheduled matches at the tournament taking place in the US.

The signatories are critical of Fifa, accusing it of failing to issue “concrete guarantees” on safety for travellers “while its president, Gianni Infantino, has aligned himself closer to the Trump administration”.

In December, Infantino awarded President Trump with Fifa’s inaugural Peace Prize.

An immigration crackdown has been a key focus of the Trump administration, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) having its scope and budget significantly expanded.

ICE has faced criticism for its methods – especially following the fatal shooting of two US citizens who were protesting against the immigration crackdown.

US officials have said ICE agents will be part of World Cup security. Earlier this year, fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) told BBC Sport it was “extremely concerned by the ongoing militarisation of police forces in the US”.

Last month, a report from human rights campaign group Amnesty said the World Cup risked becoming “a stage for repression and a platform for authoritarian practices”.

In response to that, the White House’s World Cup Task Force said that the tournament will be “the largest, safest, and most welcoming sporting event in history” and that it was working to deliver an event “that highlights America’s hospitality, commitment to security, and spirit of excellence”.

It promised that fans “can look forward to a smooth, secure, and truly unforgettable tournament”.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that NY Transit is intending to bring in special event pricing for the 30-minute journey from Penn Station in New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

A train ticket to the games at the stadium could cost more than $100 (£73.80) – a seven-fold increase on the usual $12.90 (£9.50) for a return fare.

No concession prices are planned, so children and seniors must also pay the full fare.

MetLife Stadium – which will be named New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of Fifa’s policy on corporate sponsored names – will host eight matches, including an England group game, and the final on 19 July.

It comes after train fares for matches at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston, were vastly increased to $80 (£59), with coach tickets costing $95 (£70).

Sherrill insisted that taxpayers and commuters would not be left to cover the cost of transporting World Cup supporters to stadiums, with Fifa sitting on huge sums from high ticket prices for the matches.

“We inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup,” the governor posted on X on Wednesday evening.

“And while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48m bill to safely get fans to and from games, Fifa is making $11bn.

“I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come.

“Fifa should pay for the rides. But if they don’t – I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one.”

BBC Sport understands that NY Transit will officially confirm pricing on Friday.

A Fifa spokesperson said that the governing body was “surprised” at Sherrill’s comments.

It said supporters were expected to be able to travel “at cost”, and that there was no increased pricing for other major events at the venue.

“The original Fifa World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches,” the spokesperson said.

“Recognising the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023 Fifa adjusted the Host Agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All match ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport (public or additionally planned transport) at cost to allow travel to stadiums on match days.

“Moreover, Fifa has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation.

“The Fifa World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact.

“Many of these fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled, including the Fifa World Cup final.

“Fifa is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc, where organisers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

The prices in New Jersey and Foxborough will hit England and Scotland fans.

The Three Lions take on Ghana in Foxborough on 23 June, and then head to the MetLife to face Panama on 27 June.

Steve Clarke’s Scotland have two games in Foxborough, against Haiti on 13 June and Morocco on 19 June.

The cost of parking at stadiums is also very high, with a space at the MetLife costing $225 (£166). Foxborough is priced at $175 (£129) for one car.

DR Congo and Iraq were the last two teams to book their places in the 23rd edition of the World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

It rounded off a marathon qualification process that began in September 2023 and spanned six confederations before culminating in the high‑stakes Uefa and intercontinental play‑offs on 31 March.

The final four European teams were confirmed on Tuesday, with the big news being that four-time winners Italy were knocked out by Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Czech Republic, Turkey and Sweden also qualified.

DR Congo and Iraq booked their place with wins over Jamaica and Bolivia respectively.

Of the 48 teams participating, the three hosts qualified automatically while 43 places were earned via direct qualification from the confederations and two spots were determined by intercontinental play-offs.

With the full cast confirmed, attention now shifts towards the biggest World Cup staged.

FIFA World Cup 2026

Final draw for group stages

Group A

Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
Czech Republic

Group B

Canada
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Qatar
Switzerland

Group C

Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland

Group D

United States
Paraguay
Australia
Turkey

Group E

Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador

Group F

Netherlands
Japan
Tunisia
Sweden

Group G

Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand

Group H

Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay

Group I

France
Senegal
Iraq
Norway

Group J

Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan

Group K

Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia

Group L

England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama

How will the tournament work?

A record 48 nations – up from the 32 that featured in Qatar four years ago – will take part in the 2026 edition, making it the largest World Cup field, with 104 matches to be played across three countries for the first time.

It will take place in 16 cities – 11 in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada – between 11 June and 19 July.

The tournament will also last a record 39 days – an increase from 29 days in Qatar and 32 in 2014 and 2018 – and a new format features 12 groups of four.

Mexico will face South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca to open the tournament on Thursday, 11 June – 18 days after the conclusion of the Premier League season.

The top two teams from the 12 groups and the eight best third‑placed nations will advance into an expanded knockout phase that will begin with a round of 32.

The new world champion will be crowned at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

When will the games be played?

With games taking place across four time zones and at locations up to 2,800 miles apart, there will be a total of 13 different kick-off times.

That means for viewers in Europe, some games will be played from midnight onwards.

For example, all five of the group-stage matches in Kansas City will take place in the middle of the night UK time, with the earliest kick-off being 00:00 BST on Friday, 26 June for Tunisia against the Netherlands while the latest is a 03:00 BST start for Algeria versus Austria on Sunday, 28 June.

The San Francisco Bay Area hosts two games that will kick off at 05:00 BST – Austria versus Jordan on Tuesday, 16 June and Turkey versus Paraguay on Friday, 19 June.

There are also 05:00 BST games in Vancouver – Australia versus Turkeyon Saturday, 13 June – and in Guadalupe, Mexico, when Tunisia take on Japan on Saturday, 20 June.

In total there will be 35 group-stage games that kick-off between 00:00 BST and 05:00 BST, which is almost half of the 72 fixtures for that stage.

However, the most common kick-off time is 20:00 BST, with 12 group-stage games taking place then.

Who are the favourites to win?

European champions Spain are the favourites, having enjoyed an almost flawless route through qualification.

Their squad is packed with talent such as Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Lamine Yamal, who is one of the best young players in the world.

Just behind Spain, this generation of England players is tipped to land some silverware, having finished runners-up at the past two Euros.

Thomas Tuchel’s team qualified for the World Cup with a perfect record, winning all of their matches without conceding a goal. They have a squad brimming with big names including Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

France are also strong contenders. Didier Deschamps’ squad have a fearsome front line, including Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike, and the 2022 runners-up were unbeaten in European qualifying.

Defending World Cup champions Argentina won the South American qualifying group by a big margin, finishing nine points ahead of second-placed Ecuador.

With two Copa Americas and one World Cup win in just four years, the Albiceleste are looking strong.

Finally, despitean underwhelming qualification campaign – in which they finished fifth in the Conmebol table after losing six of their 18 matches – and winning the last of their record five World Cups 22 years ago, who would confidently rule out Brazil?

Who are the outside contenders?

Norway have not played in the World Cup since 1998 and have never got past the last 16, but with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scoring 16 goals in qualifying, they could be a surprise in the summer.

They were flawless in qualifying, winning all eight of their matches, including home and away victories over four-time winners Italy.

Morocco were another side to win all of their qualifying games and they sit eighth in the world rankings. They reached the final of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations and, despite being beaten 1-0 by Senegal, they have been controversially awarded the title. They will likely be confident of advancing from a group that contains Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

Egypt, featuring Mohamed Salah, will also expect to make it beyond a group that includes Belgium, New Zealand and Iran.

Japan are the strongest of the Asian sides and cruised through qualifying, conceding only three goals in 16 matches. And they recorded their first victory over England with a 1-0 friendly win at Wembley at the end of March. They will be up against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.

Colombia will be confident of a strongshowing after a good South American qualifying campaign in which they beat both Brazil and Argentina as they finished third overall.

What about the host nations? Well, Canada, in their third finals, could be a surprise. They have lost all six of their previous World Cup finals matches, but a kind draw has them in with Qatar, Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Who are the World Cup debutants?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Curacao had an unbeaten qualification campaign as they reached their first finals

Four nations are set to make their World Cup debut this summer.

The tiny Caribbean island of Curacao will become the smallest nation to participate in a World Cup when they take on Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.

Curacao, 37 miles off the Venezuela coast, has a population of a little more than 150,000 (similar to Cambridge or Huddersfield) and a land area of 171 square miles, smaller than the Isle of Man.

They only became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010.

Cape Verde, meanwhile, are the third-smallest nation after Curacao and Iceland to reach the World Cup. The Blue Sharks secured top spot in their qualifying group ahead of African heavyweights Cameroon.

An archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean with a population of fewer than 525,000, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to reach the World Cup when it was held in Japan and South Korea in 2002. They face Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H

There are two debutants from Asia in Uzbekistan and Jordan.

The Uzbeks, who were the Asian Cup semi-finalists in 2011, ended their long wait for qualification under 2006 World Cup-winning Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

The White Wolves boast players such as Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and former Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov and will hope to make an impact in a group featuring Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo.

Jordan, meanwhile, finished behind South Korea with four wins and four draws from 10 matches in the third round of the qualifiers in Asia.

Ranked 64th in the world, their progress has been steady, reaching the final of the 2023 Asian Cup, when they were beaten by hosts Qatar. Argentina, Algeria and Austria await in Group J.

US President Trump said in a post on social media that Iran would be “welcome to the World Cup” before signalling he felt they should not be involved.

Trump’s comments came after Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, said his country were not in a position to participate in the tournament, which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June.

Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

But their participation has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched strikes on the country, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel and four Gulf Arab countries which host US military bases – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday.

However, a message on the Iran team’s Telegram account said that Fifa is the organiser of the World Cup and “not any single country”.

Iran have not yet withdrawn from the tournament, and they appear determined to make their own decision, rather than have one imposed upon them, saying there should be no question about the safety of their players should they send a team.

The statement on Telegram added: “The Iranian national team also qualified for this event with authority and through consecutive victories, becoming one of the first teams to reach this great tournament.

“Certainly, no-one can remove the Iranian national team from the World Cup.

“Rather, the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”

Earlier this week, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said Trump had told him Iran are “welcome to compete” at this summer’s finals.

But in an interview with the IRIB Sports Network on Tuesday, Donyamali said: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.

“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”

If Iran does withdraw from what would be the team’s fourth consecutive World Cup, Fifa’s regulations give the governing body discretion to choose a replacement, but it is unclear who that would be.

So what is the Strait of Hormuz and why has it received prominence in the wake of the war?

The Strait of Hormuz, is a 21‑mile‑wide chokepoint between Iran and Oman which sits at the heart of a global economic storm.

While it might be tiny on a map, this waterway carries about 20%–30% of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas.

Its strategic importance was always clear; today, it’s painfully visible as conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupts traffic through this critical corridor.

From strategic artery to flashpoint

Before the war, the Strait was one of the world’s busiest energy routes, handling tens of millions of barrels of crude and sizeable volumes of LNG daily.

When shipping flows fall, already down 70% as carriers avoid the risks, the economic impact ripples outward.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned commercial vessels, and ship movements have plummeted, as insurers hike premiums and carriers reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

These longer paths add weeks to voyages and significantly increase freight costs, affecting everything from fuel delivery to container shipping.

What happens if the Strait is closed?

A complete or prolonged closure, whether through threats, mines, or sustained hostilities, would be catastrophic:

Analysts have warned prices could spike above $100–$120 per barrel or higher if Hormuz remains blocked due to reduced supply.

Higher energy costs quickly feed into inflation, hurting consumers and businesses worldwide, and reducing economic growth.

The International Monetary Fund has noted that even a 10% oil price rise can heighten inflation and slow GDP growth.

Disruptions in oil, natural gas, and fertilizers, which also transit Hormuz, increase production costs across sectors like transportation, agriculture, manufacturing, raising food and goods prices globally.

Routes bypassing the strait add time and cost, squeezing margins for global logistics and prompting carriers to avoid the region altogether.

The effects won’t be limited to energy markets.

Major Asian importers like China, India, Japan, and South Korea rely heavily on Middle Eastern energy supplies.

Rising oil and gas costs there echo through export prices, industrial output, and household budgets.

For economies in African countries like Ghana, Latin America, and beyond, higher freight and commodity costs can slow growth, increase inflation, and complicate monetary policy just as nations are trying to recover from post‑pandemic pressures.

Beyond the immediate crisis, global leaders are confronting a stark reality: the vulnerability of energy supply chains tied to conflict zones, calling for diversification through renewables, nuclear, and regional pipelines that don’t depend on chokepoints, are getting louder.

The Strait of Hormuz is more than a narrow waterway; it is an artery of global commerce.

Its disruption underscores how interconnected modern economies are and how quickly geopolitical tensions can turn a strategic passage into a significantly narrow path to global crisis.

The Fifa Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System – or Fifa Pass – announced by US President Donald Trump in November, went live on Tuesday.

It was introduced in part because citizens of some countries whose teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup may not otherwise receive visa appointments in time for the tournament.

But the US State Department has stressed that a Fifa Pass appointment does not guarantee a visa will be approved, with all ticket holders having to “undergo thorough security screening and vetting”.

Most citizens of countries under the US visa waiver programme, which covers much of Europe, including the UK, along with Japan, Australia and others, can ordinarily travel visa-free for up to 90 days, so do not need to use the Fifa Pass. Travellers from those countries would need to apply instead for an Esta – an Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

A senior State Department official said the new Fifa Pass system will cut wait times – with applicants in “over 80%” of countries now able to schedule a visa appointment in “less that 60 days”.

It added: “At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws and leave at the end of the tournament. America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first.”

What about countries affected by immigrant visa suspension?

Football fans in countries affected by the US suspending the processing of immigrant visas will still be able to apply to travel to the country for this year’s World Cup.

The US said last Wednesday it will pause processing immigrant visas from 75 countries, 15 of which have qualified for the World Cup, including five-time winners Brazil.

A further seven nations on the list are still in contention to qualify for this year’s tournament, which will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

The State Department confirmed on Tuesday the pause “applies to the issuance of immigrant visas only” and “does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists, athletes and their families, and media professionals”.

Qualified nations on the list of 75 countries: Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay, Uzbekistan

Nations still in qualification contention on the list: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, Kosovo, North Macedonia

What about countries on travel ban list?

The order to indefinitely pause the processing of immigrant visa applications from those 75 countries will take effect on Wednesday, 21 January.

Prior to this move, Trump expanded a travel ban that came into force on 1 January, which bars nationals of countries on that list from entering the US.

Haiti and Iran, who have both qualified for the 2026 World Cup, are on the list of countries with full restrictions.

Ivory Coast and Senegal, who have also qualified, are on the list of countries with partial restrictions.

The State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment does not allow people “who are otherwise not eligible” to be issued a visa, meaning fans from those four countries appear unlikely to be able to travel to the US for this summer’s tournament.

Guidance from the State Department specified there are exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives” to the travel ban for the World Cup.

However, it added “the exception does not apply to fans or spectators”. They can still submit visa applications but “they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States”.

The US will host 78 of the 104 total matches at the World Cup, across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The Fifa Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System – or Fifa Pass – announced by US President Donald Trump in November, went live on Tuesday.

It was introduced in part because citizens of some countries whose teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup may not otherwise receive visa appointments in time for the tournament.

But the US State Department has stressed that a Fifa Pass appointment does not guarantee a visa will be approved, with all ticket holders having to “undergo thorough security screening and vetting”.

Most citizens of countries under the US visa waiver programme, which covers much of Europe, including the UK, along with Japan, Australia and others, can ordinarily travel visa-free for up to 90 days, so do not need to use the Fifa Pass. Travellers from those countries would need to apply instead for an Esta – an Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

A senior State Department official said the new Fifa Pass system will cut wait times – with applicants in “over 80%” of countries now able to schedule a visa appointment in “less that 60 days”.

It added: “At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws and leave at the end of the tournament. America’s safety and the security of our borders will always come first.”

What about countries affected by immigrant visa suspension?

Football fans in countries affected by the US suspending the processing of immigrant visas will still be able to apply to travel to the country for this year’s World Cup.

The US said last Wednesday it will pause processing immigrant visas from 75 countries, 15 of which have qualified for the World Cup, including five-time winners Brazil.

A further seven nations on the list are still in contention to qualify for this year’s tournament, which will take place in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

The State Department confirmed on Tuesday the pause “applies to the issuance of immigrant visas only” and “does not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourists, athletes and their families, and media professionals”.

Qualified nations on the list of 75 countries: Algeria, Brazil, Cape Verde, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Uruguay, Uzbekistan

Nations still in qualification contention on the list: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, Kosovo, North Macedonia

​​​​​​​What about countries on travel ban list?

The order to indefinitely pause the processing of immigrant visa applications from those 75 countries will take effect on Wednesday, 21 January.

Prior to this move, Trump expanded a travel ban that came into force on 1 January, which bars nationals of countries on that list from entering the US.

Haiti and Iran, who have both qualified for the 2026 World Cup, are on the list of countries with full restrictions.

Ivory Coast and Senegal, who have also qualified, are on the list of countries with partial restrictions.

The State Department said a Fifa Pass appointment does not allow people “who are otherwise not eligible” to be issued a visa, meaning fans from those four countries appear unlikely to be able to travel to the US for this summer’s tournament.

Guidance from the State Department specified there are exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives” to the travel ban for the World Cup.

However, it added “the exception does not apply to fans or spectators”. They can still submit visa applications but “they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States”.

The US will host 78 of the 104 total matches at the World Cup, across 11 cities, including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

It follows the seizure by US forces of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a raid on the capital city Caracas this month, along with warnings that US president Donald Trump has recently issued to a host of other countries.

So with the US due to host both the World Cup and Olympics over the next two and a half years, what questions does America’s foreign policy raise for sports organisations, and could any take a stand?

‘Repeated veiled and overt threats’

Back in December, Fifa awarded Trump its inaugural ‘Peace Prize’ at the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony in Washington, saying he had “played a pivotal role” in establishing a ceasefire and promoted peace between Israel and Palestine, and that he has sought to end other conflicts.

In the few weeks since, the US has taken military action in both Venezuela and Nigeria and has hinted at possible further operations in Greenland, fellow World Cup co-host Mexico, and two other participants in the tournament – Colombia and Iran.

Now, 23 politicians from Labour, the Lib Dems, Green Party and Plaid Cymru have signed a motion in parliament, calling on international sporting bodies to consider expelling the US from major international competitions, including the World Cup.

They say such events “should not be used to legitimise or normalise violations of international law by powerful states”.

The MPs express concern about the “escalation of US actions against Venezuela”, including “the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro”, claiming that they amount to “a direct intervention in the internal affairs of a sovereign state”.

Their motion also notes “repeated veiled and overt threats made by senior US officials”, towards Denmark, Colombia and Cuba”, saying it “undermines the rules-based international order”.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The United States launched a military strike on Venezuela and captured president Nicolas Maduro on 3 January

What has the US done and said?

While the White House is yet to respond to the BBC about the MPs’ motion, it has previously claimed that the capture of Maduro was a law-enforcement operation against an illegitimate leader responsible for both drug-trafficking and terrorism. Trump said the US will now control Venezuela and its oil industry.

Maduro insists he is a prisoner of war, and Trump faced strong criticism at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected” during the US action.

Meanwhile, Trump has also told Cuba to “make a deal” over Venezuelan oil exports “before it is too late”, and said a military operation targeting Colombia “sounds good”.

As with Venezuela, Trump has accused Colombia of not doing enough to tackle drug trafficking. Colombia president Gustavo Petro has told the BBC that he believes there is now a “real threat” of US military action against his country.

Trump has also claimed that drugs are “pouring” through Mexico into America, adding “we’re gonna have to do something”, amid reports that he has started planning a mission to send in US troops.

Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum says she has rejected any US military action on Mexican soil.

Trump has also insisted his country needs to take over Greenland for national security reasons and has not ruled out using military force.

The mineral-rich Arctic territory is controlled by Denmark, a fellow Nato member, and potentially also in the World Cup if its team comes through the play-offs.

The Trump administration has also faced mounting scrutiny over the legality of air strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.

Could Fifa act?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Gianni Infantino was elected president of Fifa in February 2016

Fifa declined to comment on the MPs’ motion, and whether it may now reconsider the annual awarding of its peace prize in light of Trump’s recent foreign policy.

But few believe it will take any action against a country that is hosting the majority of its matches at the World Cup, especially given the close relationship the governing body’s president Gianni Infantino has cultivated with Trump.

Such ties have led to accusations that Fifa has become politicised, although it insists that as an organiser of football events it has a statutory duty to remain neutral.

This is not the first time Fifa has come under pressure over the political actions of a World Cup host.

In 2018, the tournament went ahead in Russia despite the country annexing Crimea four years earlier. Russia also stood accused of cyber attacks, meddling in western elections and carrying out the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

However, comparisons have also been drawn with the way Fifa subsequently banned Russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a sanction that remains in place.

“Let’s have consistency,” Brian Leishman, one of the MPs who has signed the motion, told the Daily Mirror when asked about the US action in Venezuela.

“It’s an invasion of a sovereign nation and the kidnap of a president in Venezuela. I’m very critical of Maduro, I want to be very clear on that, but what we’ve seen is a breach of international law. When you see how Russia has been treated, which is absolutely correct, I just want there to be consistency.”

Some at Fifa privately point out that the Russian Football Union is still a member association and that the ban on playing internationals was more down to teams refusing to play against Russia and security concerns, rather than the governing body taking a moral position.

An insight into Fifa’s approach came in October when Infantino said Fifa “cannot solve geopolitical problems” amid pressure to sanction Israel after a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded that it had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel’s foreign ministry said it categorically rejected the report, denouncing it as “distorted and false”.

What about the Olympics?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also maintains a ban on Russian teams at the Games, with individual athletes only allowed to compete as neutrals, as long as they are admitted by the relevant sporting federations.

However, it has ruled out the exclusion of any American athletes from February’s Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina in Italy.

In a statement issued to BBC Sport, it said: “As a global organisation, the IOC has to manage a complex reality. The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest developments in the world.

“The ability to bring athletes together, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of values-based, truly global sport, which can give hope to the world.

“For this reason, the IOC cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries, as these fall outside our remit. This is the realm of politics.”

Last year, the IOC also rejected calls to bar Israel over the Gaza war, stating that the country’s national Olympic committee had complied with the Olympic Charter.

IOC sources have told BBC Sport a distinction has to be made with Russia because it took over Ukrainian territory and put athletes there under the control of the Russian Olympic Committee, which is against the Olympic Charter.

Los Angeles is hosting the Olympics in 2028.

‘A looming stress-test’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time

Some believe that, depending on Trump’s next moves, the situation could become harder for sports bodies to navigate.

“Fifa and the IOC could be heading towards one almighty headache,” according to John Zerafa, a veteran advisor to countries and cities wanting to host major sports events.

“Both organisations’ charters emphasise peace, respect for sovereignty, and non-discrimination.

“In Russia’s case, that led to bans and restrictions on athletes and teams. If, in a worst-case scenario, the US were to use force against Greenland – a Nato ally’s territory – would those same principles apply? If Denmark qualifies via the play-offs, would it boycott the World Cup? Would European or Nato leaders refuse to attend US-hosted events?

“This isn’t just geopolitics. It’s a looming stress-test for sporting institutions that pride themselves on neutrality, yet repeatedly find themselves forced to take political positions when international law and conflict collide with global competition.”

Trump’s hardline immigration policy could also have an impact on the World Cup, which begins on 11 June.

Fifa vowed to have a welcoming and unifying tournament, but there are now four competing countries – Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast – whose fans face full or partial travel bans, with the White House referencing a need to manage security threats.

Meanwhile, domestic tensions in the US have intensified after Renee Good, 37, was shot dead by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last week, triggering large protests in the city.

Even before the incident, human rights organisations had claimed the World Cup was at increasing danger of being “weaponised for authoritarian aims” and criticised “escalating attacks on immigrants in the US… and threats to press freedom and the rights of peaceful protesters”.

As Fifa’s biggest-ever tournament approaches it will be fascinating to see what further impact US action overseas has on ticket sales, collaboration between the co-hosts on issues such as security, and whether sports bodies feel they need to do more to navigate a complicated geopolitical landscape.

Amid the excitement, concerns are growing about the environmental cost of the vastly expanded tournament, drawing criticism from academics, players and fan groups.

BBC Sport looks at some of the key issues.

‘The most carbon-intensive event ever

Dr Madeleine Orr is a leading sport and climate expert who believes the 2026 World Cup “sends a dangerous message about the intentions of Fifa and other events to just get bigger and bigger”.

Next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada will be the first to be held across an entire continent, feature 48 teams and have 104 matches – 40 more than before. Fifa is considering expanding the tournament to 64 teams for the 2030 edition.

“It’s completely misaligned with the promises [Fifa] have made publicly to reduce emissions,” says Dr Orr, assistant professor of sport ecology at the University of Toronto. “At this point, it’s damage control.”

In their original bid for the 2026 World Cup, the three prospective host nations hoped the event would “establish new standards for environmental sustainability” and deliver “measurable environmental benefits”.

But Dr Orr is sceptical.

“If the new standard is the most carbon-intensive event ever, then yeah,” she says with sarcasm. “No, I don’t think that’s possible,” she adds.

Recent research from the Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) calculated the expanded tournament will generate more than nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, making it the most “climate-damaging” edition in the tournament’s history.

It could also be one of the hottest. In total, 14 of the 16 host cities for the World Cup are expected to be vulnerable to extreme heat during the tournament. Dr Orr believes that from 12pm to 4pm, many of these venues would be “virtually unplayable”.

Fifa has suggested adjusting kick-off times and relying on a handful of stadiums with roofs – their plans will become clearer after December’s World Cup draw – but critics argue the risk extends beyond the pitch.

“I’m not worried about the athletes,” Dr Orr explained. “I worry about 45,000 to 85,000 fans, the 10,000 staff and media personnel who are on site for prolonged periods.

“It’s going to be a challenge to figure out how to keep people safe. It is a conversation that’s being had, but as of today there is no firm plan on that.”

Fifa to ‘keep an open mind’ on conditions

Fifa declined to comment when approached by BBC Sport, and also declined to answer detailed questions about its sustainability strategy and contingency plans in the event extreme weather forces a change to the schedule.

However, speaking this month at the European Football Clubs (EFC) general assembly in Rome, Fifa president Gianni Infantino acknowledged that extreme heat in future summers might force a rethink of football’s global calendar.

“We are discussing all the time, and I think it’s not just about one World Cup – I think it’s a general reflection,” he said.

“Even to play in some European countries in July, it’s very, very hot. So maybe we have to think.

“There are ways we can optimise the calendar. But we are discussing it, and we will see when we come to some conclusion. We just have to have an open mind.”

Players feeling the heat

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Cooling breaks were used at Club World Cup games this summer

The struggles of playing in high temperatures in the US have been talked about for some time. In 2017, England forward Rachel Daly was treated for heat exhaustion in hospital after collapsing during a match in Houston, while playing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

The heat was a constant theme of this summer’s Club World Cup. Record-breaking temperatures and violent storms wreaked havoc across the tournament. Lightning meant six games were delayed from 40 minutes to two hours.

Chelsea were one of the teams to struggle with the extreme heat. At their semi-final against Fluminense in New Jersey the temperature rose to more than 35C by kick-off, with midfielder Enzo Fernandez saying the conditions made him “dizzy” and were “very dangerous”.

How hot could it get?

USA 1994, remembered for the 41C the Republic of Ireland played in against Mexico in Orlando, was the hottest World Cup so far.

BBC’s senior weather forecaster Simon King said recently next year’s tournament could surpass that.

“In June 2023, an extreme heatwave was seen in Texas, Florida and Mexico for weeks. In Monterrey, Mexico the heat index was close to 50C and in Miami it was as high as 44C.

“It is impossible to say a year ahead whether host cities like those will experience heatwave conditions – climate change has loaded the dice to an increasing chance of this happening. And if it does, it could feasibly be the hottest World Cup on record.”

Five US cities (Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey and San Francisco) which hosted games in 1994 are also hosting in 2026.

Data provided by Climate Central to BBC Sport showed that all those US cities (except San Francisco) experienced significantly more days above 32C, external in June 2025 than they did in 1994.

‘It’s obvious to players’

David Wheeler, former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder and one of football’s most vocal environmental advocates, sees climate change increasingly affecting the game, saying it is “becoming a lot more obvious to players and more of a topic of conversation”.

Wheeler, who is the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Sustainability Champion, believes the sport has a responsibility to do more.

“Unfortunately I don’t think the major governing bodies and organisations are really taking that responsibility seriously at the moment,” he says.

“These organisations don’t deserve to profit from sport if they’re not going to use their power for the betterment of sport.”

Wheeler also wants footballers to use their platform more to speak out on environmental issues.

“It could have a huge impact,” he said. “But it’s also important that clubs and fans’ groups also insulate the players because there’s going to be that inevitable backlash that they’re a hypocrite.

“The majority of us are hypocrites to some degree. We’re not perfect and that’s OK, just as long as we’re trying to do as much as we can.”

One player who does not shy away from using his platform to champion environmental issues is Real Betis defender Hector Bellerin.

Speaking after he was named Global Champion at the recent BBC Green Sport Awards, he said it was not easy to promote sustainability in a sport increasingly defined by global expansion.

“It’s hard,” he said, referencing the 2026 World Cup. “I don’t make the decisions and I’m very aware of how the industry works. But I’m not going to stop doing what I love because of decisions made at the top.

“We players often feel like we’re treated like numbers or marketable goods. There’s more games, more travel, more difficult conditions. And we’re just told to hydrate,” the former Arsenal player added.

“Unless footballers around the world unite – whether that means stopping or taking bold decisions – the wheel’s just going to keep turning,” he said.

It means Three Lions fans can now start their preparations for next summer’s tournament whether they are going to it or watching on television.

From where the games will take place to how to get tickets, here is everything you need to know about what will be the biggest World Cup in history.

When and where will 2026 World Cup be held?

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

It is the first time the tournament will be hosted by three different nations.

The opening match will take place on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City, with the final on 19 July in New Jersey.

The tournament is being expanded to include 48 teams for the first time and as a result it will last a record 39 days.

It has doubled in size since the last time the tournament was held in the United States, when 24 teams competed for the trophy in 1994.

The new format will feature 12 four-team groups and an extra knockout round – a round of 32.

Which cities are hosting 2026 World Cup matches?

Sixteen cities will host games during next summer’s World Cup – 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.

These are the 2026 World Cup host cities:

USA: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.

Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey.

Canada: Toronto and Vancouver.

When is the draw for World Cup groups?

The draw for the group stage will be held on Friday, 5 December at 17:00 GMT.

It will take place at John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.

The teams representing the host countries will be assigned to positions A1 (Mexico), B1 (Canada) and D1 (USA).

How to get World Cup tickets – and their cost

Image source: AFP via Getty Images

Image caption: Tickets for the 2026 final cost between $2,030 (£1,510), and $6,000 (£4,462)

The first batch of tickets went on sale at the start of October, with more than 4.5m fans entering a draw for a chance to buy them.

Fifa has not formally revealed a full price list, but they are being listed online by fans who were successful in the draw after spending hours in digital queues.

General admission tickets are being split into four categories, with those for the first match in the USA costing between $560 (£417) and $2,235 (£1,662).

The cheapest ticket for the 2026 final costs $2,030 (£1,510), and the most expensive is $6,000 (£4,462). Hospitality tickets, meanwhile, are yet to go on sale but will almost certainly be priced significantly higher.

Some tickets for matches early in the tournament – in a few of the less prestigious locations – are available for $60 (£44), but stadium map images show they are a tiny proportion of available seats.

The second phase of ticketing will begin on Monday, 27 October, with the Early Ticket Draw that will run until 31 October. This will involve an application process followed by a randomised selection.

A random selection draw will take place shortly after the groups are drawn on 5 December, during which fans can apply for specific matches.

A last-minute sales phase will take place closer to the tournament, during which fans will be able to purchase any remaining inventory on a first come, first served basis.

Fifa is adopting a ‘dynamic’ pricing model for the tournament, meaning ticket prices for matches deemed high demand could be raised significantly during later sales periods.

Fifa is also offering a ‘Right To Buy’ system to guarantee getting tickets, although fans can expect to pay significantly more for this option.

Which countries have qualified for World Cup?

England have secured their place at next summer’s tournament, along with 27 other teams.

Argentina, the world champions, are among those to have qualified but there are still 20 spots to fill.

The countries that have already secured their spot are:

Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States.

Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan.

Europe: England.

Oceania: New Zealand.

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay.

Of those countries, three have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history – Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

Suriname and Curiacao also remain hopeful of joining them as World Cup debutants.

The United States will host 78 of the 104 fixtures, including the final.

There have been a series of political assassinations in the US so far in 2025, and were more than 500 mass shootings across the country in 2024.

Forced deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have also increased on the orders of President Donald Trump, who has deployed National Guard troops in Democrat-led cities, including Los Angeles, which will host eight matches.

ICE and National Guard deployments have drawn mass protests from distrustful communities in some cities, and Trump has threatened to force matches to be moved from cities he deems “unsafe”.

In March, he claimed the political and economic tensions between the US and co-hosts Canada and Mexico would be good for the tournament.

He made the comment after he imposed tariffs – taxes charged on goods imported from other countries – on the US’ two neighbours.

What will weather at World Cup be like?

Heat was an issue at the Club World Cup in the USA this summer and will once again be a concern for next year’s World Cup.

Paris St-Germain manager Luis Enrique complained about his team having to play in near 40-degree heat in their Club World Cup opener against Atletico Madrid in Los Angeles, which started at noon local time.

Numerous coaches and players were affected by the heat and humidity, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez complaining of dizziness while playing.

Fifa is likely to schedule World Cup matches involving major European nations after midnight UK time in an effort to combat heat issues.

It is anticipated World Cup kick-off times will mirror those at the Club World Cup, when the earliest games started at 17:00 BST, followed by 20:00, 23:00 and 02:00.

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The event took place at the Redeemer’s Chapel in Lanham, Maryland, and gathered hundreds of gospel music lovers from across the diaspora.

Mz Nana’s ministration was nothing short of electrifying, as the audience joined in singing along to her spirit-filled songs. The atmosphere was charged with worship and praise, with many in the crowd visibly moved by her powerful delivery.

Nonetheless, her stage presence kept attendees fully engaged, with many testifying that they could barely remain seated throughout her performance.

Sharing a video highlight of her act with her followers on Facebook, Mz Nana wrote:
“My ministration at the Comfort Plus Experience by Diana Hamilton.”

The concert featured a strong lineup of gospel talents including Kenneth Appiah, Herty Corgie, Millicent Yankey, and the host Diana Hamilton herself.

Together, the ministers created an unforgettable night of worship, praise, and encouragement for the Ghanaian and African diaspora community in the United States.

Mz Nana’s participation in the event comes shortly after her recognition as Best Diaspora Gospel Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards Europe 2025, further cementing her growing influence as a vibrant voice in gospel music both in Ghana and abroad.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mz Nana (@mznana_official)

With her remarkable performance at the Comfort Plus Experience, Mz Nana continues to affirm her mission of using music as a tool for evangelism and inspiration, touching hearts and drawing many closer to God.

Source: AdomOnline

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The tournament will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico and will feature 48 nations – up from 32.

The draw had been expected to be held in Las Vegas, which is where it was completed when the US hosted the 1994 tournament.

However, the draw, on 5 December, will instead go ahead at the Kennedy Center – the performing arts venue where Trump is chairman.

“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports,” Trump said.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who brought with him the World Cup trophy, also took part in the draw announcement from the Oval Office at the White House.

“The draw will be broadcast live all over the world and will be watched by one billion viewers,” Infantino said.

“It will be 48 participating teams. There will be 104 matches – 104 Super Bowls!”

Infantino offered Trump the opportunity to hold the trophy during the news conference on Friday. “Can I keep it?” Trump asked.

The RFEF will now seek permission from Fifa and Uefa to move the game to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is scheduled to host seven matches at the 2026 World Cup.

The game is currently scheduled to be played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica on 21 December.

“At its meeting on 11 August 2025, the RFEF board of directors received a request from Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona to play their match on matchday 17 of the first division in the United States,” the RFEF said.

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation will submit the request to Uefa to begin the process for subsequent authorisation by Fifa for the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025.”

The Spanish football supporters’ association FASFE has joined with Barcelona and Villarreal fan groups to express their “absolute, total and firm opposition” to the plans.

In a joint statement, they urged the RFEF and the national sports council to “stop this madness”, warning they would “take appropriate legal action” if it went ahead.

Other one-off matches, such as the Italian Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, have been held abroad in recent years.

AC Milan are hoping to play their Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia in February, as the fixture clashes with their San Siro stadium hosting the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

However, the plans have yet to receive approval from Fifa, Uefa, Football Australia and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Fifa’s rules currently do not allow domestic league matches to be played abroad, but last year it set up a working group to look into the matter.

Last year, La Liga said it wanted to hold Barcelona v Atletico Madrid in Miami before dropping the idea because of time constraints.

In 2019, Barcelona also planned to stage a league match against Girona in Miami, but the idea was scrapped after opposition from the RFEF and its players’ union.

The Premier League has previously said it has no plans to play games overseas.

In 2008, then Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore proposed playing an extra round of fixtures abroad, but the plans were shelved after criticism from fans and the media.

Five of the venues over the past month – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, MetLife Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field and Lumen Field – are also hosting matches next year.

So what has the Club World Cup taught us about what is to come? And are there any lessons Fifa can learn from it?

Former Manchester City and Tottenham midfielder Michael Brown, who was a co-commentator for DAZN at 10 games across five different cities, told BBC Sport: “I do feel like the tournament has been a really good test for the World Cup.”

Record-breaking heat & violent storms

Record-breaking heat and violent storms wreaked havoc across the tournament. A sign of things to come next year?

US rules mean play is stopped when lightning is recorded within a 10-mile radius – and cannot restart until 30 minutes after it finishes.

Six games were delayed, with durations ranging from 40 minutes to two hours. Two Benfica games, against Auckland and Chelsea, were delayed for about 120 minutes.

There were only four minutes left when that Chelsea game was held up. The Blues were winning 1-0 but Benfica levelled before Chelsea won in extra time.

“I think it’s a joke, to be honest,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said at the time.

“It’s not football. It’s completely something new. I struggle to understand – if you suspend seven or eight games then it’s probably not the right place to do the competition.”

Fifa were fortunate storms didn’t impact evening games, which could have seen postponements until the following day, but it is a possibility for next year.

Chelsea were also one of many teams to struggle with the extreme heat.

Temperatures have soared to 39C in New York and humidity has made it feel even worse – more than 50C on the heat index.

Fifpro state that nine of next year’s 16 host cities have “very high” or “extremely high” risk of heat stress injuries during the tournament.

Clubs had to arrange shorter training sessions, with Maresca saying “otherwise you don’t save energy for the game”.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The group match between Mexico’s Pachuca and Austria’s FC Salzburg in Cincinnati was one of six Club World Cup games to be delayed because of weather

Ten Juventus players asked to be substituted during their defeat by Real Madrid, said their manager Igor Tudor.

Borussia Dortmund subs watched the first half of one game from the changing room to avoid the sun – and manager Niko Kovac said he was “sweating like I’ve just come out of a sauna”.

PSG boss Luis Enrique said: “It’s not good for the spectacle because it’s difficult to play in that position.”

Meanwhile, the sniffer dogs at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia were wearing Crocs due to the temperature of the concrete underfoot.

Brown told BBC Sport: “The weather has obviously been something all the teams have had to deal with. It’s affected the fans too – some of the days, the heat was so extreme.

“It was just ridiculous and it something that is going to affect everyone next year. Teams and fans will have to be ready for it.”

On the plus side, there will be five stadiums with roofs – as opposed to just one in Atlanta this summer – but the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams means significant risks remain.

Possible solutions are planning around kick-off times to avoid playing in hot cities in the middle of the day, as so often happened at the Club World Cup, while seven of the venues used this summer won’t be used in 2026.

“The weather has been hot but of course we can see about kick-off times, review and possibly look at hiding games earlier in the day at stadiums with roofs,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s chief of global football development.

Will the crowds come out to USA 26?

The past month has brought a mixed bag when it comes to attendances – ranging from the sold-out to the embarrassingly sparse.

Four matches failed to get more than 10,000 fans – with the lowest attendance the 3,412 who watched Mamelodi Sundowns beat Ulsan HD 1-0.

But there have been 17 crowds of 60,000 or more – with the highest the 81,118 who saw Chelsea beat Paris St-Germain in Sunday’s final.

Most of the highest attendances were at games involving PSG or Real Madrid.

“We believe the attendances were projected as low and in reality were much higher,” said Wenger.

Another reason given for low attendances have been the kick-off times, with many being at noon or 3pm on a weekday.

Worst attended Club World Cup matches

American journalist Doug Roberson said after Chelsea’s opener against Los Angeles attracted just 22,000: “It’s not because people here don’t care about soccer. The people aren’t here because it’s Monday at 3pm. Frankly I am surprised there are as many as there are.

“It’s a tournament that doesn’t mean a lot to people in the US because it’s new. I would imagine paying to come to a tournament you don’t know didn’t appeal because the World Cup is coming next year and people are trying to save money for that.

“If I were Fifa, for the World Cup I would have game times where more people could come. It is something to think about – and the ticket prices were ridiculous.”

Jonathan Tannenwald, chief soccer correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer, said: “We will all show up for the World Cup next summer but for the Club World Cup they needed to market it to explain.”

Fifa are expected to stick with the same kick-off times during next summer’s World Cup so will be relying on the appeal of the tournament to cut through and will be asking local fans to take time off work to attend matches.

The Gold Cup has also been going on over the past few weeks, played at non-Club World Cup venues in the US, attracting attention from TV audiences. This competing factor won’t be a problem next year.

Best attended Club World Cup matches

Fifa’s policy of dynamic ticket pricing – where the cost of tickets can change regularly – has also been controversial and it is a policy they are expecting to carry into next year’s tournament.

Ticket prices for Chelsea’s semi-final against Fluminense reportedly dropped from almost £350 to less than £10 in the week before the game.

Tickets for the Blues’ quarter-final against Palmeiras ended up at £8 – with fans talking about having paid over £250 when they first went on sale.

Brown said: “When I’ve been travelling it feels like a lot of Americans are starting to speak about it now and know it is going on – whoever you speak to, they go ‘oh yeah it’s the football’.

“It is still growing, of course – the public’s awareness of it has got loads better than it was a few years ago but there is still a way to go, not just to spread the word that it is happening but to get people out here used to going to football games or watching matches on TV.

“It’s still not the main sport out here but that’s the next step. There is so much room for growth but if you go to a lot of bars and restaurants, then they are still showing a lot of baseball when the football is on.”

What have the stadiums and transport links been like?

The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was played within a radius of 43 miles.

The air-conditioned public metro system, which was free to use for fans with tickets during the tournament, reached six of the eight stadiums, with road transportation needed for the other two.

But the sheer scale of the USA has brought up concern about the transport to various stadiums for the 2026 tournament, with some venues difficult to reach via public transport.

BBC Sport found this to be the case during the tournament, especially at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the Club World Cup final was held and where next year’s final is scheduled to take place.

The nearest train stop was Meadowlands Sports Complex station, requiring supporters to then walk 20 to 30 minutes in searing heat before reaching their relevant entry gate.

The semi-final between Real Madrid and PSG was also delayed at the same venue due to both teams being stuck in gridlocked traffic.

The opening match of the Club World Cup took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is set to host seven matches next year, including the third-fourth place play-off.

But the venue sits off a busy highway with no trains or metro system anywhere near the ground. Arriving three hours before kick-off allowed Uber drivers to drop off passengers close to the stadium before roads were closed off.

A post-match curfew meant no access for Uber or cab drivers within a certain distance and supporters had to walk for 20 minutes to a pick-up zone.

Manchester City played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, which is set to host six matches at the 2026 tournament and is serviced by a metro system to the incredible sports complex featuring the football/NFL stadium, as well as the baseball and NHL venues.

City also played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which is regarded as one of the best sporting stadiums in the world, featuring a retractable roof and giant LED screens.

Eight matches will be played inside the air-conditioned stadium next year, which has good transport links including a metro system close by and an Uber pick-up a 15-minute walk away.

A potential solution for some locations, which has been done at other tournaments, is free transport to fans with match tickets but special buses or trains will have to be arranged to make this happen.

Brown added: “The stadiums have been great and the logistics side, if it were done again, would be easier. They will have learned so much. I think it bodes well for next summer.”

One source at a host stadium for the Club World Cup said the preparation time for the event had left limited opportunity to convert mostly American Football (NFL) artificial surfaces to grass pitches.

The way the ball bounces and rolls is different from at stadiums in Europe and has led to complaints from England internationals Jude Bellingham and Reece James among others.

Dortmund manager Kovac highlighted the inconsistency between the various stadiums after losing to Real Madrid on the MetLife stadium pitch in New Jersey.

He said: “This pitch and the pitches we’ve played on in Cincinnati and also in Atlanta, the grass quality is different in the stadiums.

“It’s more a golf green. You can putt here. It’s very short. This is not the grass we are used to playing on in the Bundesliga and also the other stadiums.

“The watering wasn’t good enough, I’d say, because you don’t have the licence for that. For high-speed football, you need good conditions and you need also a good pitch, the right pitch. When it’s too dry, it’s unbelievable, it’s sticky.”

A Fifa source explained there is more bed-in time for the 2026 World Cup while local sources highlight how the US is such a big country with different climates that grass that works in one city may not work in another.

How stringent will security be?

There were regular checks for media and scanning of passes to make sure they were holding the correct credentials for accessing different parts of stadiums.

With Donald Trump in attendance, security was predictably at its very tightest for the final between Chelsea and PSG.

Given the game was played a year to the day since the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, the heightened security at MetLife Stadium came as no surprise.

The United States Secret Service were armed and on location, with several snipers positioned on the roof of the ground.

Up until that point, the heaviest security presence seen by BBC Sport was at the opening game in Miami, where police cars with flashing lights lined the main boulevards leading up to the stadium.

Police officers with ‘counter terrorism’ logos patrolled the exterior of the venue and numerous security checks and bag searches were made before entry was granted.

Supporters needed extra time to make their way inside as they were forced to have further checks at a second perimeter point.

Sniffer dogs were in place near the entrance to the stadium in Philadelphia, while at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, armed officials dressed all in black with ‘bomb squad’ logos walked up and down the length of the press box.

Meanwhile, reports said US immigration and border protection personnel provided security at matches during the tournament and it remains to be seen whether the same will take place next year.

Despite her young age, Princess Duncan is gaining prominence across Africa, serving as Deputy Chief Executive of COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company and advocating for peace across borders.

The prestigious honour was conferred during the 2025 Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards and Summit held on Saturday, June 28, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In addition to receiving the honorary doctorate, she was recognised as the Icon of African Economic Advancement 2025—a distinction that further cements her influence on the continent’s leadership landscape.

Her new title, “Doctor,” adds to an already impressive profile, making her one of the youngest female CEOs in Ghana to receive such international acclaim.

The honour is viewed as a continuation of a legacy deeply rooted in service, leadership, and vision.

Princess Duncan is the daughter of renowned Ghanaian scientist and philanthropist, Professor Samuel Ato Duncan—the Executive President of COA Research and Manufacturing Company and the Nkosuohemaa of Frante Sekyeredumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Following in her father’s footsteps, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to peacebuilding, community health, and youth empowerment.

Speaking exclusively to Ghanaian journalist Beyoncé Diamond Kpogli after receiving the award, Princess Duncan expressed immense gratitude to the summit organisers and the awarding institution.

“I am deeply honoured by this recognition. It means the world to me,” she said. “To be acknowledged not just for what I’ve achieved, but for the values I stand for – it’s humbling.”

She noted that the award serves as motivation to continue her mission.

“This is only a stepping stone,” she added. “Greater things are coming. We are born to serve humanity, and we will continue to do so until peace reigns again.”

Dr. Princess Duncan used the platform to call for peace and unity, stressing that sustainable development cannot occur in the absence of stability.

“Without peace, we cannot grow or develop as individuals or a nation. That’s why it’s crucial to end all conflicts and embrace peace. We owe that to ourselves, to our future, and to the next generation.”

The Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards and Summit brought together some of the continent’s most dynamic young leaders. The event celebrated innovation, leadership, and social impact—highlighting individuals shaping Africa’s future.

Princess Duncan has long been admired for her blend of discipline, compassion, and leadership. Whether in boardrooms or community outreach, she continues to lead with vision, purpose, and integrity.

Source: Myjoyonline.com

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Pochettino saw his team gain a fourth-minute lead through Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards. He headed in from Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick, with the ball bouncing down off the underside of the crossbar and just crossing the line.

But the US advantage only lasted 23 minutes as Fulham striker Raul Jimenez equalised with a first-time shot on the turn into the roof of the net from eight yards out, following Marcel Ruiz’s intelligent reverse pass.

Jimenez celebrated the goal by sitting on the turf with a ‘Diogo J 20’ shirt in front of him as a tribute to his former Wolves team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash on Thursday aged 28.

Mexico dominated the second half and got the winner in the 77th minute with a diving header from Edson Alvarez, although it had originally been ruled out for offside before the video assistant referee showed the West Ham defender was onside.

The Gold Cup featured 16 nations, 15 from North and Central America as well as Saudi Arabia, who had been invited to compete. All but one of the matches have been held in the United States, with the other one staged in Vancouver, Canada.

Pochettino took Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019 and had been appointed boss of the US national team in September 2024, four months after being dismissed by Chelsea.

Raul Jimenez played in the same Wolves side as Diogo Jota in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons

What was the main talking point?

Although the final ended in defeat, this tournament has been a welcome return to form for the US after they had suffered four successive home defeats between March and June – against Panama, Canada, Turkey and a 4-0 thrashing by Switzerland.

Pochettino had guided the US to wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Costa Rica and Guatemala to take them to the final, but they could not take the final step.

They looked on course to win the competition with their early goal, but Mexico recovered from a poor start to secure a deserved victory and regain the trophy they had won two years ago.

Which players stood out?

Mexico had almost 60% of possession and dominated the stats with 12-0 corners and 16-6 shots, with eight of those efforts on target, while the US only had three on target.

American goalkeeper Matt Freese made six saves to keep his side in the match, but the US could not hold on for extra time as Freese was beaten for a second time with Alvarez’s header with 13 minutes remaining.

The standout stats

This was the 18th hosting of the Gold Cup and either the United States or Mexico has won every tournament, apart from in 2000 when Canada took the title.

Mexico have now won it 10 times with the United States having seven successes.

What is next for these teams?

With next summer’s World Cup being held in Canada, Mexico and the US, these countries do not need to qualify so will only be playing friendlies until the tournament.

The US have two home games in September, against South Korea in New Jersey on 6 September and then against Japan in Ohio four days later.

Mexico play the same two nations in their next two friendlies, Japan on 6 September and South Korea on 9 September.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Tuesday, June 24, Mr. Fertik emphasised that the U.S. visa process is guided by clear rules and transparency.

“The requirements are strict. We do look carefully at each individual applicant to make sure they are qualified and do not pose any problem for the United States,” he said. “But if you abide by the rules, we will welcome you in the United States.”

He noted that many Ghanaians have benefited from the U.S. visa system over the years, with several enjoying successful short trips to the country.

When asked whether there was a quota for issuing visas, Mr. Fertik clarified that there are no limits for non-immigrant visas.

“For non-immigrant visas, no. I can say that there are quotas for immigrant visas — we do have a limit for each country — but not for non-immigrant ones,” he explained.

Mr. Fertik also advised prospective applicants to avoid using third-party agents or visa consultants, cautioning that many are untrustworthy and could mislead applicants, reducing their chances of success.

He reiterated the embassy’s commitment to fairness and urged applicants to use official channels, prepare thoroughly, and provide truthful information.

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AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic offered to play in two friendlies before the Gold Cup, but wanted to be rested for the tournament itself.

However, Pochettino decided to leave the 26-year-old out of his squad for the friendlies with Turkey and Switzerland.

Pulisic has played 118 games for club and country since joining Milan from Chelsea in July 2023, but was criticised by former US internationals Landon Donovan and Alexi Lalas.

Speaking to CBS Sports on Thursday, Pulisic said that while he “respected” Pochettino’s decision he “didn’t understand it”, adding that those questioning his commitment to the national team were “way out of line”.

“Players [do] not need to understand or not understand,” Pochettino said on Saturday. “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.

“The most important thing is that we explained why we decided not to include [him] in the two friendly games.

“Then if you have some problems, no, that is not my problem to understand. I am the head coach, I am not a mannequin.”

USA lost 2-1 to Turkey and 4-0 to Switzerland, meaning they have suffered four straight defeats before their Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago in San Jose on Sunday.