The teams that will participate in the next World Cup are gradually being defined. There are already four qualified teams in addition to the three hosts. Argentina, New Zealand, Japan and Iran have already qualified. The United States, Mexico and Canada qualify as organizers.

The most ambitious FIFA World Cup in history - with 48 teams and 104 matches - faces an unexpected challenge. And we are only 15 months away from the final whistle at Mexico's Azteca Stadium.

But as the qualifiers progress, an undeniable reality is emerging: the growing geopolitical tensions between its three hosts. Far from the promise of "Unity and Certainty" proclaimed on the cover of the joint bid in 2017, the current scenario is marked by trade disputes, border threats and a climate of distrust between the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Donald Trump's return to the U.S. presidency has been a central factor in this turnaround. According to an extensive article in The Guardian signed by Leander Schaerlaeckens and published this March 27, 2025, the president has reactivated an intermittent trade war with Canada and has threatened similar measures against Mexico. In addition, he has resumed his aggressive rhetoric about militarizing the southern border and, in a provocative tone, has suggested the annexation of Canada as "the 51st state". This political escalation comes at a time when millions of fans from around the world are planning to attend the tournament, which will be held in 16 cities in the three countries.

A Cup with customs?

The logistical complexity of the tournament was already considerable: crossing borders between matches will be necessary for many teams, media and fans. But the situation is further complicated by possible immigration restrictions pushed by the U.S. government.

According to The Guardian, the Trump administration is considering implementing a new immigration veto, similar to the 2017 "Muslim Ban," which could affect citizens of up to 41 countries. These include nations such as Iran (already qualified), Venezuela and Sudan, all potential participants. Even if players and delegations manage to process their visas with diplomatic support, ordinary fans will face unpredictable waits and paperwork. "Waiting times at American embassies in countries such as Turkey and Colombia already exceed the time remaining until the tournament," warns the British media.

Another challenge is security coordination. The Guardian revealed that each U.S. city has had to hire its own lobbyists to petition the federal government for $625 million in security funds. FIFA, which usually works with a national organizing committee, has opted for a decentralized structure: it directly oversees the 16 local groups without a unified authority, which further complicates the interlocution with a federal government in the process of downsizing and internal reorganization.

In the midst of all this, President Trump seems to see in the conflict a media opportunity. During an appearance with Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, the president assured that "tension is a good thing, I think it makes the tournament much more exciting", as reported by the BBC. He said this shortly after signing an executive order to create a working group that he himself will chair and which will coordinate the logistics of the World Cup.

Grandiloquence and uncertainty

The truth is that, although the organizers insist that everything is under control, the situation is volatile. The United States will host 78 games, while Mexico and Canada will share 13 each. This not only accentuates the imbalance in the distribution of the event, but also reinforces the perception that Washington has more clout - and therefore more ability to impose its vision - in this World Cup.

"The tournament was about bringing the people of North America closer together," recalled Sunil Gulati, former president of US Soccer and architect of the bid, in statements reported by The Guardian. At the time, the bid for a tripartite World Cup was interpreted as a gesture of sports diplomacy in the face of Trump's nationalist impulse and his famous wall. Today, the wall is still standing, hostility has increased and the promise of unity seems distant.

Sporting impact?

So far, neither FIFA nor the federations have suggested that these tensions will alter the sporting calendar. But the consequences could be felt in fan attendance, international media mobility and the overall image of the tournament. The anecdote of current U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino-who recently joked that he has yet to be handed a green card-illustrates the bureaucratic disconnect that could escalate into something more serious if action is not taken.

The 2026 World Cup remains a unique opportunity: a showcase for North America and a continental reconciliation event. But ball diplomacy is not immune to geopolitics, and this tournament could become the first in which goals compete with international tensions for the limelight.