World Cup brings political issues to the surface: 5 takeaways

The first week of the FIFA World Cup has been underscored by tensions over geopolitics, U.S. immigration policy and dramatic group stage action that is priming viewers around the world for what promises to be an exciting knockout round later this month.

The action-packed global spectacle, played on North American soil for the first time in more than 20 years, is creating new fans in the U.S. and shining a light on America’s place on the global stage under President Trump.  

Here are five big takeaways from the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far.

Cup brings politics to the surface

Politics have hung over every World Cup going back decades, but the 2026 tournament has featured sharper than usual political undertones.

The competition’s first week took place against the backdrop of negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran to end their war, with Iran as a team in the World Cup playing on U.S. soil.

Iran’s players and coaches have increasingly found themselves under a microscope, particularly after they were forced to leave the United States after their first game without recovery time. Iran’s team is training in Mexico. Iranian team managers have said the extra travel could impact them on the pitch.

There have been protests of both the regime and the war outside Iranian football matches, while some supporters have said FIFA will not honor tickets issued through the Iran Football Federation, citing the ongoing conflict with the U.S.

A FIFA official told The Hill it is “working closely with the IR Iran Football Federation to identify compliant solutions that maximise opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches.”

President Trump’s immigration agenda is also looming large over the World Cup, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations at some matches and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blocking entry into the country for at least one Somali referee for allegedly making contact with suspected terrorists.

Some Democrats and immigration activists have voiced discomfort with ICE and DHS officials patrolling at World Cup matches, while the Trump administration has argued people who are in the U.S. legally and attend matches or watch parties have “nothing........

© The Hill