The 2026 World Cup, a global sporting event, has been marred by exclusion and travel bans for many fans and participants. This tournament, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, aimed to be more inclusive, yet it exposed the harsh realities of immigration policies.
For Mustafa al Saadi, a 32-year-old Iraqi, the World Cup became a personal struggle. He and his hospital coworkers had always traveled together to support Iraq's national team, but this time, his visa application was still pending as his friends flew to Philadelphia. The red flares lighting the night sky in Mosul, near the ancient walls of Nineveh, served as a stark reminder of his exclusion.
FIFA's efforts to make the World Cup more global have been undermined by the very countries hosting it. While the tournament saw the debuts of several nations, supporters from about a quarter of the qualifying countries faced travel restrictions or bans. The inequalities were evident in the stands, with Scottish supporters dominating the scene for their match against Haiti, while Haitian fans, subject to US travel restrictions, were fewer in number.
The impact of these policies extends beyond the stadium. For diaspora communities, the World Cup offered a unique opportunity to cheer for their own. In Brockton, Massachusetts, Cabo Verdean supporters celebrated their team's draw against Spain, a moment of pride and visibility for their nation.
However, for others, like Assane Ly, a Senegalese salesman, the World Cup was a missed opportunity to connect with fans from diverse backgrounds. He lamented the barriers that prevented him from attending, saying, "The World Cup is supposed to be a moment when geopolitics are on hold..."
The impact of these travel restrictions was also felt by journalists. Prince Ayim Brown, a Ghanaian journalist, saved and prepared to cover the tournament but was denied a visa. He expressed the disappointment shared by many, "World Cup is the pinnacle of football...every journalist and every football fan wants to be there."
The co-host countries' reliance on their existing immigration systems, rather than creating tournament-specific entry permits, contributed to these issues. Canada and Mexico's standard visa processes posed challenges for many supporters and personnel.
Mustafa al Saadi's story is a powerful reminder of the human impact of these policies. His stalled visa application changed his World Cup experience, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of immigration practices to ensure that the World Cup remains a truly global event, accessible to all.
