“FIFA is reportedly considering a dramatic reshuffling of the 2026 World Cup hosting arrangement.
There is mounting speculation that matches scheduled for the United States could be relocated to Canada. This is due to escalating visa and immigration concerns.
Multiple sources close to the global football governing body indicate that recent U.S. immigration policies seen as exclusionary are threatening the integrity and inclusivity of the tournament.
Human rights groups and fan associations have raised alarms over visa restrictions that currently affect nationals from up to 43 countries, making travel into the U.S. nearly impossible for fans, media personnel, and team support staff.
The issue is particularly acute for qualified nations like Iran, whose teams may play without any fan presence in the stands due to their citizens being unable to secure U.S. entry visas.
The situation has sparked outrage among supporters and advocates, who accuse FIFA of undermining its own principles of “access and non-discrimination.”
“FIFA risks contradicting its own statutes and public commitments to human rights, accessibility, and inclusion,” one observer noted, citing the organization’s obligation to avoid “any situation giving rise to a conflict of interests.”
Critics argue that by allowing the U.S. to impose stringent travel restrictions during a supposedly global event, FIFA is enabling an environment of exclusion and inequity.
While the U.S. remains a financial powerhouse and a key commercial partner in the joint hosting arrangement with Mexico and Canada, insiders say Canada is emerging as the “most logical” alternative.
Canada offers political neutrality, logistical readiness, and a stable immigration policy that aligns more closely with FIFA’s stated values.
With just under a year to go before the 2026 tournament kicks off, FIFA is under increasing pressure to act decisively. A potential relocation of matches could mark a seismic shift in tournament logistics and planning but would underscore FIFA’s willingness to uphold its principles in the face of political pressure.
FIFA has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.”
