Executives from the US host city committees for next year’s World Cup said on Monday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) raids have created “uncertainty” as they prepare to host an influx of foreign visitors.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, will take place in 11 cities across the US, and is predcited to draw more than five million visitors over the course of the 40-day tournament. However, visa processing times have been slow for several countries, travel bans have been instituted (including for recently qualified Iran), and raids ostensibly aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants have seen the government arrest and deport visa holders, permanent residents and even citizens.
