The 2026 World Cup, set to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has been described as the largest sporting event ever staged. The tournament will span 39 days, 16 host cities, and 104 matches, generating an estimated $80 billion in global economic output. However, concerns have been raised about the human rights risks facing England fans travelling to the event.
The tournament will take place in a political climate described as 'Trump's America', with the US having recently assassinated the head of state of one of the competing nations. Donald Trump's immigration militia has been active, and there are fears that this could affect matches. The World Cup is also seen as an act of economic violence, with premium seats for the final approaching $33,000 at face value.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, has been criticised for cosying up to successive despots, including Trump. The organisation has been accused of sport-washing atrocities and abuse, with Infantino using the flood of cash to shore up his own position. The tournament is seen as the end of any remaining notion of football as the people's game.
England fans are advised to be aware of the potential risks, including high costs and political tensions. The World Cup promises to be a spectacle impossible to ignore, but it also raises serious questions about the direction of football and its governance.
