The FIFA World Cup is no stranger to frenzy, chaos and controversies. But never before has it been shoved right in the middle of geopolitical turbulence. Then again, never before has a host nation been in a state of active armed conflict with the nation of a participating team.
Last week, Iran’s request to play the world cup matches outside the US to Mexico was turned down by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum citing logistics. “It would make logistics too complicated and this decision was taken by FIFA,” she said about the relocation of matches, making the fans concerned about Iran’s participation in the matches, despite Iran being among the first few countries racing to qualify for the World Cup.
Also read: Iran’s World Cup spot in doubt as war escalates
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has quelled those concerns saying, “Iran will be at the World Cup,” it is not just the team’s participation that has faced a question mark, it is their security too. Last month, Iran’s Football Federation (FFIRI) expressed fears over its team’s safety sparked by US President Donald Trump’s social media post saying it would “not be appropriate for Iran to participate in the World Cup for their own life and safety.” Ever since the US-Israel launched a war on Iran on February 28, both countries have exchanged direct verbal blows through the social media, on the ground and now through sports as well.
The politics of economics
From ticketing prices to ticketing practices, each season, FIFA and controversies are neither new nor novel. However, by being dragged in the middle of political turmoil, the games get politicised and the sport, compromised. The first game is set to roll off in about eight weeks with the first match scheduled for June 11. As 48 teams get ready to compete over a span of 104 games in the host nations of US, Canada and Mexico, it is not just the symbolism of nations and their political ideologies that cast a shade on the sport.
The host country US’ international tax treaties have been making headlines all through the year and FIFA has been no exemption. As a not-for-profit, FIFA has enjoyed a tax free status in the US since the ‘94 world cup. However, in the current season more than half the participating nations are facing additional costs due to FIFA and US government’s failure to agree to a blanket tax exemption.
Also read: FIFA set to visit Mexico to assess World Cup security
The ruckus over ticket prices was yet to settle down, when the transport costs emerged as the latest flashpoint. After a report suggested that match day train fares to key venues could surge manifold, a political pushback was triggered with US lawmakers suggesting that FIFA bear the cost and not local commuters. Reportedly, match day train fares from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium could exceed $100 during the World Cup, compared to the usual $12.90. A similar surge has been flagged in Boston, making Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, take to social media to suggest FIFA bear the costs. “FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill.”
World Cup, immigrant workers and ICE
Sports shape diplomacy and geopolitics, however, with FIFA 2026 could it be reverse?
This week, workers at LA stadium asked FIFA to keep ICE agents away from the venue to alleviate their fears. The hospitality union representing about 2000 workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles threatened to strike during the world cup if FIFA officials did not take up their concerns about working conditions and the presence of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents. In order to lessen the likelihood of immigration crackdowns, football association’s president Gianni Infantino has been reportedly asked to make a proposal to Trump for the same.
In reference to the politics surrounding the ICE crackdown, deportations, and protest restrictions, Amnesty International, last month, warned that the “US’ human rights emergency” could threaten fans’ safety and freedom.
Also read: Cartel violence: Doubts over FIFA World Cup games in Mexico
The security concerns and unpredictability don’t really end with the shift of venues from the US to Mexico, they merely transition to similar issues, although for different reasons. Earlier this year, violence in Mexico, the nation set to host 13 games for the World Cup, sparked nervousness about the country’s ability and readiness to host large crowds. Of the total matches to be played in Mexico, four are scheduled in Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco, where much of the violence took place following the killing of a cartel boss in an army raid.
The celebration of a sport should ideally not be mired in chaos and conflict. Infantino has described the tournament, as “the greatest show ever on planet Earth.” The soccer fans hope the statement does not prove to be diabolical.
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