The FIFA president made it clear that any country that hosts the international competition would need to allow access to supporters and teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hasn’t outright stated the Trump administration’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries would stop the U.S. from winning a 2026 World Cup bid, but the implication of his statements are fairly heavy.
Speaking in London on Thursday, Infantino made clear that a country wishing to host the World Cup must be accessible for all participating nations. The statement could potentially leave the U.S. out to dry if any of the six countries banned in Trump’s second executive ordered travel ban qualify for the expanded 48-team tournament.