Is the United States targeting Global South Countries at the FIFA World Cup 2026?

There are various incidents that have been occurring towards the kickoff of the FIFA 2026 World Cup tourney in the United States.

They are the things that have been raising questions if America deserves to host the global convergence of the popular sport and whether the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has failed in running the event this time.

• Swiss footballer Embolo’s visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.

• Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.

• The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye. The United States only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.

• Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF)’s Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. This is despite the fact that Artan travelled to the U.S. using a diplomatic passport. Omar was refused entry and sent back. FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament.

• The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.

• Members of the Senegal national team staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.

• The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.

• Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the United States visa-free under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) programme, had their travel permits revoked just days before departure.

• Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.

For most observers, the United States may have the right to do almost the precautions, but this was becoming rather too much.

Security or being insecure?

Commenting on social media, one Bobo Macingwane believes while national security remains a sovereign prerogative.

“The sheer volume of entry friction for accredited delegates and fans points to a major failure in coordination between FIFA’s Priority Appointment System (PASS) and local immigration authorities. Security and sports inclusivity can coexist, but this rollout indicates poor operational integration,” says Macingwane.

But Sam Osuji says the precautions are necessary; “…There has been two assassination attempts on the President of that same country and the enemies are not relenting, the next attack can come from any angles, so allow their security agent’s do their job please, if you are not allowed into their country please go back,” he adds.

However, Simon Haraba points out that the World Cup is supposed to be a peaceful event bringing people from all walks of life together.

“Since football is a very good unifier, the experience from the 2026′ World Cup must send a strong signal to FIFA in terms of qualifications for bidding to host the World Cup not what is being practiced by the United States which I believe is just unnecessarily heightening security concerns.”

Emmanuel S. Emmanuel writing on his Facebook page says security consciousness applies to every developed country that has recently had conflicts with countries they still perceive as threats to their citizens.

“Not everyone who goes to the United States is for the games … some could have a different reason for travelling and it’s ok for a country to safeguard its citizens.”

On his part, Ben Nyitor says on observation it is clear that the harassment mostly happens to people from African countries. “This should send vital information to Africa as a continent to put their house in order so as to avoid these kinds of issues in future.”

To which Enuma Lishman responds; “If Africa was one united front, this World Cup would have been boycotted because of the US hosting certain games, or opted for none of their opening games to be in the United States.

“Let there be visa denials for African teams that qualify from group stages, and see if the tournament would continue as normal,” Lishman suggests.

Molifi Levites, reminds that in 1994 the USA also hosted the FIFA World Cup with many nations and football supporters across the globe visiting the host nation. 

“How is experience between the two tournaments 22 years apart? Maybe one will have to revisit the 1994 World Cup and then compare the two sporting events.”