09/06/2026
Why hold the world’s best tournament in a country whose president commits genocide, illegal wars, occupation, oppression, and human rights violations?
As much as we are all excited for the World Cup there is a real dark side to this one that just leaves a bad taste in the mouth and completely goes against everything the tournament has always meant to the world
There was always a concern that the USA were going to ruin it for everyone - and those fears are becoming a reality quite quickly 😢
❌ Africa’s top referee Omar Artan detained and deported at the airport, despite having a working visa, purely because he comes from a country the American’s dear leader doesn’t like in Somalia. Nothing less than pure discrimination and racism, that wouldn’t be accepted anywhere else
❌ The Senegal squad strip searched and treated like criminals on the runway after their plane landed, held on the runway for hours as all their bags were emptied and forced to take off their shoes and socks to be searched
❌ Iraq’s star striker held for SEVEN hours by immigration enforcement, with his phone confiscated, thrown in a cell and questioned repeatedly about what he thinks of his government and the US government, with the insistence on him saying nice things about Trump before finally being allowed to join the rest of the squad 🤯
❌ Iraq’s official camera man, hired to document their historic World Cup campaign, detained for 12 hours before being deported and denied entry to the US for no other reason that immigration enforcement officers deciding he wasn’t an important part of the travelling squad
❌ Iran forced to stay in Mexico, despite their 3 group games being in the US, and told they have to travel in and out on the day of the game and wouldn’t be permitted to train or stay overnight in the US
❌ Iran's official ticket allocation cancelled at last minute - leaving supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team's matches
❌ Uzbekistan players and coaching staff held, searched and their bags searched by sniffer dogs after getting off their team bus
❌ Fans from all countries having their visas or estas cancelled if any posts critical of Donald Trump are found on their social media accounts
❌ A mass shooting took place just a stones throw from England’s training camp - heightening fears of potential gun crime at or around the games
❌ Extortionate pricing on everything from tickets, accommodation, transport, beer, food and water
❌ Ridiculous walking bans at or near stadiums so it’s literally against the law to walk to some games (something that has always been a tradition for fans and created some great scenes)
❌ Some of the pitches in recent friendlies held in America would get a junior game cancelled and make Livi’s pitch look world class
🤦🏻♂️ And it’s not even started yet….
🇺🇸 The World Cup has always been about the world coming together, nations have literally halted wars in the past during the World Cup. Race, religion, political beliefs and national disputes put to one side for the world to enjoy its favourite obsession as one… but all of that now seems to be expendable in the name of keeping Trump happy 😢
Just all quite sad to see really
🇲🇽 Contrast that to a real footballing country like Mexico who have put on a big show of greeting all team arrivals with traditional music and the kind of fanfare the World Cup is known and loved for ❤️
