Purestock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — President Donald Trump’s immigration ban could being a hurdle to the United States’ efforts to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the president of soccer’s governing body said Thursday.
“It’s obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions as well, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. The immigration ban, set to go into effect later this month would bar visas for people form six nations and temporarily shuts down the refugee program.
The ban would impact visitors and immigrants from Iran, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Libya.
FIFA expects bidding for the 2026 event to begin next year, and a host to be named in 2020. The U.S. is considering a three-way hosting bid with Canada and Mexico, but President Trump’s proposed wall on the U.S.-Mexico border could be an obstacle to such a proposal.
“The requirements will be clear,” Infantino said, “and then each country can make up their decision, whether they want to bid or not based on the requirements.”
“Mr. Trump is the president of the United States and as such of course [I have] huge respect for what he does,” Infantino added, careful not to criticize the policies openly. “He’s in charge, together with his government, to take the decisions that are best for his country.”
“In the world there are certainly many countries who have bans, travel bans, visa requirements and so on and so forth,” he said.
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