Host city heads in charge of welcoming visitors
Ice raids, visas, and travel bans could impact fans
Executives from the US host city committees for next year’s World Cup said on Monday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) raids have created “uncertainty” as they prepare to host an influx of foreign visitors.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, will take place in 11 cities across the US, and is predcited to draw more than five million visitors over the course of the 40-day tournament. However, visa processing times have been slow for several countries, travel bans have been instituted (including for recently qualified Iran), and raids ostensibly aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants have seen the government arrest and deport visa holders, permanent residents and even citizens.
At a gathering in New York City, Philadelphia host committee CEO Meg Kane spoke for the group when asked by the Guardian what impact the Ice raids have had on the organizations’ ability to welcome fans with open arms – a message disseminated by the host cities themselves and Fifa president Gianni Infantino.
