US soft‑power setbacks at 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co‑hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was intended to showcase American openness and boost the nation’s soft‑power. Instead, a series of diplomatic and political controversies undermined that goal. A Somali referee was barred from entering the United States on vague “vetting” grounds, an Iraqi striker was detained for seven hours at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, and Iranian players and staff were forced to leave the U.S. after each match, prompting the Iranian coach to call his team “the most oppressed team.” Visa restrictions also prevented fans from 39 qualifying nations from attending. In the knockout stage, President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of a red‑card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, a move that drew worldwide criticism and was seen as political interference. These incidents have been described as a “soft‑power failure,” contrasting with earlier successful examples such as Germany’s 2006 World Cup. Separate commentary highlighted issues with the tournament’s television coverage, including frequent cut‑aways to FIFA officials, celebrity spectators and staged crowd shots, which some viewers found distracting and sexist. Together, the political tensions and media criticisms suggest the event fell short of its diplomatic ambitions while still delivering memorable football on the field.