World Cup 2026: Could cohost politics have an impact? DW 06/11/2025
Briefly

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Los Angeles faces protests over deportations and a travel ban affecting supporters, with safety concerns for the Club World Cup looming. The travel ban restricts entry for citizens from various nations, which threatens fan participation, particularly for countries like Iran, who have qualified. Andrew Zimbalist notes that despite the political tensions, President Trump's focus may be on leveraging the event to improve his public image, which could further complicate the dynamics between the host countries and their relations with fans and athletes.
The ongoing riots are an immediate safety concern for the Club World Cup in the USA, with European champions Paris Saint-Germain set to meet Atletico Madrid in LA on the tournament's opening day on June 15.
Trump's travel ban, which came in effect on Monday, bars citizens of several nations from entering the US, impacting fans' attendance at the World Cup.
An exception was made for anyone traveling for the World Cup, but not for fans, creating ongoing challenges for spectator participation.
Andrew Zimbalist suggests that President Trump's motivations for supporting the World Cup may revolve around enhancing his reputation through the successful hosting of the event.
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