Can politics eclipse 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup is sitting on a volcano of political protests. The 23rd edition of the world’s biggest soccer festivity is coming at a time of heightened
- By Steve Ogah
The 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup is sitting on a volcano of political protests. The 23rd edition of the world’s biggest soccer festivity is coming at a time of heightened geopolitical events. Political tensions have triggered seismic shifts from Tel Aviv to Tehran, from the Cape to Cairo, and from the Strait of Hormuz to Seychelles.
Put together, these events could change the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. An ordinarily convivial atmosphere could turn to a deeply charged tournament. In the end, if not expertly managed, political and diplomatic rivalries may become evident in the stands and on the soccer pitch while the tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.
Should organizing cities, especially those with large cross-cultural populations, be reasonably edgy? The obvious answer is yes. The perennial conflict that has sandwiched the State of Israel, Palestine, Iran, and the US, poses a serious risk to the World Cup. Political incidents at this tournament will have a lasting impact on FIFA and the beautiful game of soccer.
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At the risk of sounding alarmist, grievances should be expected at the coming gathering of global athletes and their fervent fans. A referee’s misjudged call may trigger bad blood among players. Nevertheless, those grievances should not extend beyond the pitch into riots. But that is not where all the trouble lies.
Those in support of America’s Middle East policies and those against America’s policy actions will seek to use the opportunity of the World Cup to make their conflicting voices heard by a global audience. But this is where the TV crews and cameras will have to be circumspect in their editorial decisions. They must not amplify political tensions, but rather seek to dampen tense moments during what should ordinarily be a game of fun and brotherliness.
Surely, this sporting event is confronting a certain level of rejection. Campaigns calling for fans and countries to rebuke the World Cup are already in the media space and these crusades emphasize the political currents that often haunt soccer. Those calling on African countries to shun the World Cup point to 1976 when countries from Africa protested against apartheid and political injustice through the agency of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada.
It remains to be seen whether African countries will heed the growing calls to shun football’s greatest feast. Boycott calls from some people in England, Holland, South Africa, and elsewhere, further point to the already heated atmosphere surrounding the incoming World Cup.
An April 5 X (formerly Twitter) post by Al Jazeera Sport also echoed the friction beneath World Cup 2026. Citing Ahmad Donyamali, Iran’s Sports Minister, @AJE-Sport reported that Iran’s World Cup participation hinges on FIFA’s relocation of the Iranian team away from the United States of America. Regardless of FIFA’s decision regarding Iran’s request, the shadow of the bitter politics between America and Iran will certainly loom over both countries in the incoming summer soccer experience.
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The 2026 World Cup faces the possibility of disruption as has been witnessed in some past global sporting events.
Between November 7 and 8, 2024 Israeli football fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv were the targets of violent attacks in the aftermath of a UEFA-Europa game against Ajax. This condemnable event portends weighty danger for soccer fans, signalling that those with different racial or religious beliefs can become real targets when things get out of hand. The attack on Israeli fans calls to mind an earlier attack.
On September 5 at the 1972 Olympic Games in West Germany, terrorists from Black September killed 11 Israelis after they gained entry into the Olympic Village. The chilling event of the Munich Massacre is a potent reminder that the 2026 World Cup must guard against hostage situations, especially for vulnerable teams and soccer followers.
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No one deserves to die or to be snatched away from their loved ones because they hold opposing political or religious views. Racial and religious differences must never be allowed to become the motivating force for violence, not in sports, not in any other area of life.
The political concerns surrounding the 2026 World Cup, especially in venues in America call for restraint from all warring parties in the Middle East and their polarized supporters around the world. Failure to take politics out of the 2026 World Cup, however tough that may be to achieve, risks making the World Cup a sour global soccer fiesta.
As in the recent past with the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, all security challenges and extant diplomatic issues must be competently managed, otherwise FIFA’s preeminent sporting event may turn out to be an overtly political occasion. The 2026 World Cup should be remembered for its gusher of goals, not its politics or pettiness.
•Ogah is a UEFA-accredited sportswriter.
