Challenges and Opportunities Coexist: Security, Visa Issues, and Political Storms Facing the 2026 World Cup
During the preparation and lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the excitement and anticipation, a series of complex external challenges and controversies have emerged, involving security, visas, and even international politics.
Security Issues: In Mexico, violent incidents triggered by the killing of a drug cartel leader have raised concerns about safety during the tournament. In response, the Mexican government has pledged to deploy nearly 100,000 security personnel and introduce innovative services such as chatbots to ensure the safety of fans and players. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has also stated that if he believes any American host city poses security risks, he may relocate matches to other cities.
Visa and Political Storms: The most significant controversy has centered on the Iranian national team. Due to tense relations between the United States and Iran, the Iranian Football Federation initially boycotted the World Cup draw ceremony over visa issues, later sending a reduced delegation to attend. Subsequently, ongoing discussions have persisted regarding whether Iran will be allowed to enter the country to compete. Former President Trump stated on social media that Iran is “welcome” but that he “does not recommend” the team participate. Meanwhile, FIFA has been mediating behind the scenes, emphasizing that all qualified teams should compete according to the schedule. The Iranian federation has even requested to relocate its group stage matches to Mexico to avoid playing in the United States. This series of events has once again brought the boundary between sports and politics into sharp focus, adding uncertainty to the smooth hosting of the World Cup.