The US Border Runs Straight Through the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 in Mexico, with the United States and Canada as co-hosts. However, the US imposes restrictive visa policies and travel bans on citizens of many nations, making the already expensive event even more exclusive. The US-Mexico border is heavily militarized, and President Donald Trump has called Mexicans criminals and drug dealers, even suggesting soldiers shoot migrants and installing an alligator-filled moat.

A young man from violence-ridden Michoacán, Mexico, paid a coyote $10,000 to be hoisted over the border fence into the US – the same amount many spend on World Cup tickets. Mexico’s decision to host a costly tournament, rather than address the disappearance of over 134,000 people (mostly after the US-backed war on drugs in 2006), has angered many Mexicans. The heavy deployment of security forces, notorious for human rights abuses, adds to the discontent.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino created a new “FIFA Peace Prize” to appease Trump after he was denied the Nobel Prize, awarding it to him amid his support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, which has killed 73,000 Palestinians, including 421 footballers. The Iranian federation had its ticket allocation revoked for matches in the US, and 15 staff were denied visas. The top Somali referee was denied entry, and Haitians are banned from entering the US. The Iranian team is based in Tijuana, Mexico, only allowed into the US for matches, reminiscent of the “Remain in Mexico” policy.

Mass detentions and deportations continue, and ticket prices are astronomical, highlighting inequality. The author watched the opening match in Italy and felt excitement but notes that imperial arrogance and US-fueled catastrophe in the Middle East tarnish the magic of football.