nited States fans cheer in the stands before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
The FIFA World Cup has always been sold as football's greatest celebration.
It is a month where politics, borders and conflict briefly fade into the background as the world's game unites billions of people through a shared love of football.
But this tournament in Donald Trump’s America has become the opposite.
Instead of being remembered for breathtaking goals, unforgettable upsets and moments of sporting brilliance, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is rapidly becoming defined by political interference, immigration barriers and the unmistakable shift towards the Americanisation of football which places TV revenue above fan enjoyment.
