A World Cup Under Pressure: How American Politics Could Shape FIFA 2026

20 January 2026

Paul Francis

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The FIFA World Cup is meant to be football’s great unifier. Every four years, politics is supposed to fade into the background as supporters cross borders to follow their teams. Yet as the 2026 tournament approaches, concerns are growing that the political climate in the United States may be doing the opposite.

Soccer ball with US flag design on grass field in stadium. Blurred crowd and scoreboard in background. Bright, sunny atmosphere.

Recent comments and policy signals from President Donald Trump have reignited anxieties among fans, organisers and civil rights groups. While football itself remains as popular as ever, the environment surrounding the tournament is becoming increasingly complicated, raising questions about travel, ticket sales and whether the world’s biggest sporting event can truly remain separate from domestic politics.

Politics enters the picture again

Donald Trump’s return to the centre of American politics has brought renewed focus on immigration, border enforcement and national security. His language around immigration has hardened, and his administration has signalled a tougher stance on visas and border controls. For many international football supporters, particularly those travelling from Europe, Africa and South America, this has raised uncomfortable questions.

Online, concerns have circulated about the visibility of immigration enforcement agencies and the risk of being caught up in aggressive border or visa checks. While some of these fears are undoubtedly amplified by social media, they are not appearing in a vacuum. Advocacy groups have formally raised concerns with FIFA about whether fans from certain regions will face additional scrutiny or barriers when travelling to the United States.

For some supporters, the idea of spending thousands of pounds on tickets and travel only to face uncertainty at the border is enough to pause or reconsider plans. It is here that the politics of Captain Orange begin to intersect directly with football.

Are ticket sales really struggling?

The picture around ticket sales is mixed and often misunderstood. FIFA has reported extremely strong global demand across several ticket application phases, with millions of requests submitted worldwide. On paper, this suggests the tournament is not in danger of empty stadiums.

However, critics point to a different issue. While demand exists, actual purchases appear uneven, especially at the higher price points. There have been persistent reports of slower sales for certain matches and categories, particularly among travelling supporters who are weighing cost against political and logistical risk.

In other words, the concern is not a lack of interest in football. It is hesitation. Fans are watching, waiting and calculating whether the experience will justify the expense and uncertainty.

The cost of attending the World Cup

Price is one of the most significant factors shaping that calculation. The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most expensive in history.

The cheapest group stage tickets have been priced at around sixty dollars, but these are limited and often difficult to secure. More realistic prices for popular group matches run into the hundreds, with premium seats climbing well above two thousand dollars.

Knockout rounds are another level entirely. Quarter final and semi final tickets can cost several thousand dollars, while premium seats for the final in New Jersey have been listed at over six thousand dollars at face value. On secondary markets, prices can climb even higher.

For many fans, particularly from Europe and South America, these figures sit alongside the cost of long haul flights, accommodation and internal travel across a vast host country. The result is a World Cup that feels financially distant from the traditional supporter.

Travel, visas and fear of uncertainty

Beyond cost, travel logistics are adding another layer of anxiety. The United States is hosting the majority of matches across a geographically enormous area. Fans may need to fly thousands of miles between cities, navigate unfamiliar transport systems and deal with complex visa requirements.

Recent tightening of visa rules and public rhetoric around immigration enforcement have not helped perceptions. Reports of fans from African nations struggling with visa delays or rejections have circulated widely, even if they do not represent the majority experience.

The problem is not necessarily policy itself, but uncertainty. When supporters feel unclear about how they will be treated on arrival, or whether rules may change suddenly, confidence erodes.

Other pressures on the tournament

The political environment is only one of several pressures facing the 2026 World Cup. Stadium readiness, security planning, climate concerns and the sheer scale of the expanded tournament all present challenges.

The United States is not a traditional football nation in the way Europe or South America is. While interest has grown rapidly, there are still questions about atmosphere, cultural familiarity and whether the event will feel like a World Cup rather than a series of high end entertainment events.

There is also a growing debate about whether FIFA’s commercial strategy is distancing the tournament from its roots. High prices, premium experiences and corporate packages may deliver revenue, but they risk sidelining the fans who give the World Cup its character.

A tournament caught between sport and state

None of this means the 2026 World Cup is doomed. Far from it. The global appetite for football remains immense, and millions will watch and attend regardless of political context. But it does suggest that the tournament is unusually exposed to forces beyond the pitch.

When the host nation’s political leadership becomes a source of anxiety rather than reassurance, it inevitably shapes perception. When attending feels like a financial gamble layered with political risk, some supporters will hesitate.

The World Cup has always existed within the world it inhabits. In 2026, that world includes heightened political tension, polarised leadership and rising costs. Whether football can rise above those pressures, or whether they will leave a lasting mark on the tournament, remains one of the most important unanswered questions heading into kick off.

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The Vanishing Pub: How Young People Are Being Priced Out of Socialising and Why 50 Pubs a Month Are Closing

Connor Banks
Oct 2, 2024
4 min read

In the first half of 2024, an alarming trend unfolded in England and Wales: over 50 pubs closed every month. Once the core social hubs of their communities, these establishments are now facing an existential crisis. While various factors contribute to their downfall, one of the most critical and overlooked is the inability of young people to afford the once-cherished activity of going to the pub. What was once a staple of British social life is becoming increasingly out of reach for the younger generation, as the cost of living skyrockets, and wages fail to keep pace.

The Price of a Pub Pint: A Stark Reality

To understand this crisis, we need only look at the humble pint of lager—a bellwether for the affordability of social life. In 2024, the average pint costs £4.78, a steep rise from £3.32 in 2014. Adjusted for inflation, the 2014 price should be about £4.30 today, meaning the cost of a pint has risen well above inflation, putting an even greater strain on consumers. But the story goes deeper when we compare the cost of a pint to wages.

In 1994, when a pint cost just £1.30, it took up about 18.6% of the average hourly wage. By 2004, this had crept up to 19.4%, but it remained manageable. Today, that figure has ballooned to 26.6%, meaning that, on average, over a quarter of an hour’s work is required just to enjoy a single drink. For young people earning near minimum wage, the situation is even more dire.

Socialising: A Luxury, Not a Right

For previous generations, socialising at the pub was a given—a place to catch up with friends, watch sports, or meet new people. It wasn’t just a drink; it was a cultural institution that fostered community. Today, young people are finding themselves priced out of this experience. With rent, food, and energy prices eating up their disposable income, something as simple as a night at the pub has become a rare indulgence.

As pubs struggle to attract younger patrons, their revenue falls, creating a vicious cycle of dwindling business and eventual closure. The 50-pub-per-month statistic isn't just about pubs closing; it represents a societal shift where traditional forms of socialising are no longer affordable for large portions of the population.

Coffee Shops and Changing Social Habits

This shift is already evident in where young people choose to meet. Coffee shops, with their relatively lower costs, are rapidly becoming the new social hubs. A coffee date is significantly cheaper than a night out at the pub, making it a more viable option for those with tight budgets. In fact, a report by Allegra World Coffee Portal showed that coffee shop visits have increased by 5% annually in the last decade, while traditional pub and bar visits have stagnated or declined.

More tellingly, coffee shops are replacing pubs and restaurants as go-to locations for first dates. What was once a meal out, drinks at a bar, or even a combination of the two, has been replaced by a more affordable flat white or cappuccino. According to a 2023 YouGov survey, 46% of young adults now prefer a coffee shop for a first date, compared to just 22% who choose the pub—a stark reversal from previous decades.

This change in behaviour highlights how rising costs have redefined social norms. Where a first date might once have involved dinner and drinks, today it often involves a quick, budget-friendly meet-up in a café. This trend not only affects young people but also has a ripple effect on the wider hospitality industry, which relies on consistent, high-volume businesses to survive.

The Systemic Issue: Young People Are Being Priced Out of Life

The closure of 50 pubs a month is a symptom of a larger systemic issue: young people are being priced out of experiences that previous generations took for granted. It’s not just about a pint at the pub—it’s about the ability to enjoy life without the constant worry of financial strain. Incomes have not kept pace with inflation, housing costs are through the roof, and now, even socialising—something so integral to mental health and community—is becoming a luxury.

In 1994, a night out didn’t break the bank. Even in 2004, going to the pub was a relatively affordable activity. But in 2024, the economic landscape has shifted dramatically, and with it, the ability of young people to participate in activities that are vital to fostering community and connection.

The Broader Impact: The Erosion of Social Life

As pubs close and young people opt for cheaper alternatives, the very fabric of the community is at risk. Pubs have long been a place where people from all walks of life can come together, and their decline signals more than just a business failure—it signals a loss of social cohesion. In the past, the pub was where people met their neighbours, built friendships, and even discussed local politics. With their demise, we risk losing a key part of British culture.

At the same time, the rapid rise of coffee shops—while a testament to human adaptability—can’t fully replace the role pubs once played. Coffee shops are often more transient spaces, focused on short meetings rather than long, unhurried evenings of conversation. The very nature of how we socialise is changing, and it’s not necessarily for the better.

The closure of 50 pubs a month is a wake-up call. It’s not just about the loss of a place to drink; it’s about the changing landscape of social life in Britain. Young people are being priced out of the activities that previous generations took for granted, and this is having a profound impact on both individual well-being and community cohesion.

If the trend continues, we could see a future where social life is defined by affordability rather than choice, where the quintessential British pub is lost to time and becomes something only for the rich or for tourists. To reverse this trend, we need systemic change that addresses the root causes of financial insecurity and makes socialising accessible once again. Otherwise, the demise of the pub may just be the beginning of a larger cultural decline.