Sports

Trump's Border Crackdown Spoils World Cup

America pushed to host the international tournament. Now the government is hassling fans, official guests, and even players who want to come.

Matthew Petti | 6.12.2026 1:58 PM

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(Illustration: Midjourney)

It's strange behavior to throw a party and turn away guests at the door. The joint bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to host the FIFA World Cup—backed by President Donald Trump during his first term—had bragged about the ease of travel, calling North America "one of the top destinations in the world for international visitors."

But now that the soccer tournament is underway across North American cities, fans from the 48 participating countries have found themselves hassled or barred from coming by strict U.S. border policies. Even some of the participants themselves had trouble getting in.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection interrogated Iraqi soccer star Aymen Hussein for seven hours on his arrival at the airport in Chicago before letting him in. His official photographer wasn't allowed in with him. "Why is........

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