In a surprising twist at a press conference held in the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump joined forces with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to address issues surrounding the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
The conference, adorned with the prestigious World Cup trophy, quickly veered off-topic as Trump expressed grave concerns about safety in host cities, particularly raising alarms about potential ‘troubles’ in Seattle under its newly elected mayor, Katie Wilson, who identifies as a democratic socialist.
Trump, flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, underscored his willingness to take drastic measures, saying he’d consider “strikes” in Mexico, one of the tournament’s co-hosts, citing ongoing drug trafficking issues as a threat. His aggressive stance initiated discussions on moving World Cup events if necessary for safety reasons, suggesting other cities that could ensure a more secure environment.
“I will have to speak to Gianni about this,” Trump remarked. “If there’s a sign of any trouble, I would ask Gianni to move that to a different city. We have a lot of cities that would love to have it and would do it very safely.”
Infantino responded diplomatically, emphasizing that safety and security are paramount for a successful World Cup, citing nearly two million tickets already sold as evidence of the trust in the United States. “People know they will be coming here to experience a safe and secure World Cup,” he said, reinforcing the responsibility of the government in ensuring a secure environment for attendees.
The primary purpose of the press conference was to announce the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA Pass), aimed at addressing the prolonged visa appointment wait times that threaten the ability of international fans to attend the tournament. Significant delays currently plague U.S. consulates, with fans from Colombia facing an 11-month wait for appointments, and those from Ecuador and Morocco experiencing similar hurdles.
Infantino reiterated FIFA’s concern, noting that the long wait times could hinder attendance from nations that typically require visas, such as Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, while citizens of countries participating in the ESTA visa waiver program can enjoy easier access.
To mitigate these issues, Secretary Rubio announced that U.S. officials would offer prioritized appointments for World Cup fans, ensuring they could complete visa interviews more swiftly, with expected interviews occurring within six to eight weeks after application. However, he clarified that obtaining a ticket does not guarantee visa approval, emphasizing that strict vetting processes would remain in place.
Despite some cautious optimism from FIFA regarding the new arrangements, U.S. government officials have previously shown hesitance to extend concessions for the World Cup, citing concerns about the United States’ comparative desirability as a destination for travelers seeking permanent residence versus countries like Qatar or Russia.
As the press conference unfolded, questions from the media hinted at broader concerns regarding the political climate and public safety in host cities, revealing a juxtaposition of hopes and fears leading up to one of the world’s largest sporting events. While the announcement of the FIFA Pass serves as a potential lifeline for fans eager to attend the tournament, underlying tensions regarding safety and city governance remain unresolved, leaving many to wonder how these factors will ultimately shape the World Cup experience in 2026.
