World Cup hosts clash as Trump renews Canada threat

February 10, 2026 Oliver Obel

With construction projects and security planning accelerating ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a fresh political dispute has emerged between two of the tournament’s host nations.

US President Donald Trump has renewed warnings toward Canada, escalating rhetoric over trade policy and a major cross-border infrastructure project even as the United States, Canada and Mexico coordinate preparations for the expanded tournament.

Bridge dispute comes to the fore

Trump’s latest comments focus on the Gordie Howe International Bridge, a new international crossing between Ontario and Michigan that is scheduled to open in 2026. According to BBC News, the £3.4 billion project has been funded by the Canadian government and has been under construction since 2018.

Writing on his Truth Social platform on February 10, Trump accused Canada of benefiting unfairly from the project, claiming it was built “with virtually no U.S. content.” He argued that the United States should hold a significant ownership stake and said he would not permit the bridge to open unless the US was compensated.

Officials on both sides of the border have previously described the bridge as a long-term effort to reduce congestion at one of North America’s busiest trade corridors and to support commercial traffic between the two countries.

Tariff threats linked to China trade

The bridge dispute follows earlier warnings from Trump regarding Canada’s economic ties with China. In January, he threatened steep tariffs if Ottawa expanded cooperation with Beijing.

“If Canada makes a deal with China, it will immediately be hit with a 100% Tariff against all Canadian goods and products coming into the U.S.A,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada and China had reached an agreement focused on electric vehicles following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump has said such arrangements disadvantage US manufacturers and weaken domestic industries.

A broader foreign policy pattern

Since beginning his second presidential term in January 2025, Trump has taken a confrontational approach to foreign policy, including military action in Venezuela and public warnings directed at several governments in the Americas and beyond.

He has also drawn criticism from European leaders for suggesting the United States should take control of Greenland an autonomous territory of Denmark citing security concerns. The proposal was rejected by officials across the European Union.

Canada has featured prominently in Trump’s recent statements, particularly over trade barriers, tariffs and access for US products.

World Cup preparations continue

The political friction comes as the United States, Canada and Mexico prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will feature 48 teams, 104 matches and games across 16 cities 11 in the United States, two in Canada and three in Mexico.

Organisers from all three countries are coordinating on border procedures, transportation and security planning for an event expected to draw millions of visitors. While Trump has not directly linked his recent comments to the tournament, cooperation among host nations remains essential to delivering the event smoothly.

For now, preparations on the ground continue, even as political tensions between key partners remain unresolved.

Sources: BBC News, Truth Social