Six big concerns before the 2026 World Cup: visa hurdles, sky-high prices and global tensions

March 30, 2026 Oliver Obel

As anticipation builds ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the conversation is no longer focused solely on qualification drama or host city preparations. Instead, attention is shifting toward a growing list of off-field challenges that could shape the tournament as much as the football itself.

An analysis by GOAL points to increasing pressure around fan access, affordability, match conditions and the wider political environment surrounding the host nations the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Uncertainty over fan access

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promoted the tournament as a global celebration, previously stating that “the world is welcome in America.” But with the United States hosting the majority of matches, questions are emerging about how open that welcome will be in practice.

According to the report, supporters from several countries may face significant entry barriers. Stricter visa requirements are expected to affect fans from parts of Africa, while there are concerns that supporters from nations such as Iran and Haiti could struggle to attend at all. A proposed visa bond scheme potentially requiring deposits of up to $15,000 has added to fears that travel could become prohibitively difficult for many.

Taken together, these measures risk undermining FIFA’s message of inclusivity at a tournament expected to draw millions of international visitors.

Ticket prices and fan backlash

The cost of attending matches has also become a major source of tension.

Football Supporters Europe has criticized FIFA’s pricing model, arguing that so-called affordable ticket options remain limited in practice. The group has raised concerns about high base prices, dynamic pricing models and additional resale fees, describing the system as heavily weighted against ordinary supporters.

The dispute reflects a familiar criticism of recent major tournaments: that commercial priorities are increasingly clashing with the idea of the World Cup as a broadly accessible global event.

Playing conditions raise questions

Attention is also turning to what fans and players can expect inside stadiums.

Experiences from the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States widely seen as a test event highlighted potential issues, including extreme heat, uneven pitch quality and frequent weather-related interruptions. Several players and coaches voiced frustration at the time, pointing to surfaces and conditions that affected the quality and rhythm of matches.

Concerns over climate and scheduling are not new in World Cup planning, but the scale of the 2026 tournament has intensified scrutiny over whether conditions will be consistent across venues.

Political and security pressures

Beyond logistical concerns, the political backdrop in the United States is drawing increasing attention.

GOAL’s analysis notes that the possible role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in tournament security has raised alarm among some observers. Critics argue that visible immigration enforcement near stadiums or fan areas could deter attendance, leading to calls from lawmakers to limit such operations during the competition.

In Mexico, security is also under the spotlight following recent cartel-related violence in regions due to host matches. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said the situation does not pose a risk to fans and has outlined plans for a large-scale security presence during the tournament.

Iran’s participation in doubt

The most serious uncertainty surrounds Iran’s involvement. Amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States and Israel, Iranian officials have indicated that participation may not be possible under current conditions.

If a qualified team were unable to compete due to international conflict, it would represent an extraordinary development for a modern World Cup and raise difficult questions for FIFA about how to manage global political realities.

A tournament facing complex challenges

FIFA continues to present the 2026 World Cup as a unifying global event. However, the issues emerging in the lead-up from travel restrictions and rising costs to security concerns and geopolitical strain suggest a far more complicated picture.

With the tournament fast approaching, its success may ultimately depend on how effectively organizers navigate challenges that extend well beyond the pitch.

Sources: GOAL, Football Supporters Europe, AFP