Brexit "could kill any bid by England for the World Cup, European Championship or Champions League final," UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin warned, according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. Čeferin also declared that the 2026 World Cup "could not be played" in the U.S. if President Donald Trump's "Muslim ban" prevented players, fans or the media from entering the country for the tournament. Čeferin said that European football's governing body "remained committed to staging" the semifinals and final of Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium. But he added that "we could have a serious problem" if those traveling to the U.K. for European matches "were denied entry post-Brexit." FA Chair Greg Clarke last year admitted "Great Britain's vote to leave the European Union could damage England's hopes of staging major tournaments." The FA "declared an interest in hosting" the 2030 World Cup and Euro 2028 and Clarke said that "it could be forced to submit a joint bid with an EU member state" (TELEGRAPH, 2/27).
BARÇA PLAYERS UNAVAILABLE?: In London, Jake Lambourne reported Barcelona players Lionel Messi and Neymar "may be refused entry" into the U.K. if they get through to the Champions League final "because of their ongoing tax evasion cases." Čeferin "fears the duo will not be allowed to play at Cardiff's Principality Stadium in June" (THE SUN, 2/27).
U.S. BID OBSTACLE: In N.Y., Rory Smith reported Čeferin said that hopes of the U.S. hosting the 2026 World Cup "will be damaged, perhaps critically, if President Trump's travel restrictions come into full force." Čeferin added that "measures that might prevent players, fans or journalists from attending the event would count against any bid." The U.S. is a "clear favorite" to be awarded the '26 tournament, "either on its own or as part of a joint North American bid with Mexico and Canada." Čeferin: "It will be part of the evaluation, and I am sure it will not help the United States to get the World Cup. If players cannot come because of political decisions, or populist decisions, then the World Cup cannot be played there" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/27).