For better or worse, the 2026 World Cup staged across North America will forever be associated by some with U.S. President Donald Trump.
As he was so keen to point out, it was during Trump’s first administration that the United States, Canada and Mexico secured hosting rights for a tournament which would be plagued by governmental controversy. Besides the prices, visas and travel bans, Trump also planted himself at the center of the Folarin Balogun red card scandal.