Trump's attempts to implement travel bans to the U.S. has caused some to question the North American bidGETTY IMAGES
The Trump administration has "guaranteed to FIFA there will be no discrimination around entry" to the U.S. at potential North American World Cup in '26, according to Rob Harris of the AP. The bid has "faced questions about the impact of attempts" by President Trump to "implement a ban on travel to the U.S. by residents of six majority-Muslim countries." A letter from the U.S. government to FIFA stated, "All eligible athletes, officials and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination" (AP, 5/8). The AFP notes leaders of North America's bid "urged FIFA voters to ignore the 'politics of the moment'" and "promised to deliver a record-breaking multi-billion-dollar profit for the global football showpiece." USSF President Carlos Cordeiro said that the 48-team tournament "would hand" FIFA a record $11B profit. Cordeiro said, "Working with FIFA, we expect that a 2026 World Cup in North America would generate a new record: more than $14 billion in revenue for FIFA." He added, "In other words, the most successful and profitable FIFA World Cup ever." Cordeiro's remarks "sought to underscore the commercial appeal of staging a World Cup in North America at a time when FIFA President Gianni Infantino is keen to boost revenue for world football's ruling body." Cordeiro also "projected a sponsorship bonanza, with Fortune 500 companies eager to sign on for the World Cup, leading" to another $3.6B (AFP, 5/8).
