Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino face growing World Cup chaos as America battles shocking tournament problems

Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino face growing World Cup chaos as America battles shocking tournament problems (Image via Getty)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was supposed to be a huge celebration for the United States. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called it “104 Super Bowls in one month,” while US President Donald Trump described it as a chance to show “the beauty and the greatness of America.” But with only weeks left before the tournament begins, the mood around the event has changed fast. Instead of excitement alone, there are now serious questions around ticket prices, travel problems, security fears and the form of Mauricio Pochettino’s US men’s national team. Fans across the world are also worried about visa rules, political tensions and whether the tournament will truly feel welcoming for everyone. America will host 78 matches across 11 cities during the expanded 48-team tournament, but many fear the focus is moving away from football and toward controversy. Even inside the United States, concerns are growing. Some matches still reportedly have large numbers of unsold tickets despite FIFA saying demand has broken records. At the same time, transport and hotel costs have left many supporters frustrated before the tournament has even started.

Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic and FIFA face pressure before 2026 World Cup

One of the biggest talking points has been the rising cost of attending games. FIFA has faced criticism after ticket prices climbed sharply for several matches. According to reports, some tickets for the World Cup final reached tens of thousands of dollars on resale platforms. Even President Donald Trump admitted he would not personally pay the current prices for the United States opener against Paraguay. Supporters have also complained about travel costs. Train tickets to stadiums near New York and Boston are far more expensive than normal, while parking near venues in cities like Los Angeles has reportedly reached hundreds of dollars. Many fans now feel the tournament is becoming too expensive for average people. Political issues have added even more tension. Supporters from countries including Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast are facing travel restrictions or visa difficulties. Amnesty International and other groups have also raised concerns about immigration enforcement during the tournament. FIFA officials, however, continue to insist fans and teams will be welcomed safely. Security fears are another major issue. After several violent incidents in the United States earlier this year, experts warned that a global event like the World Cup could become a target. The US government has already approved hundreds of millions of dollars in security funding to protect host cities and stadiums. On the field, Mauricio Pochettino’s squad is also under pressure. The USMNT recently suffered losses against Portugal and Belgium, while star player Christian Pulisic is struggling for form and reportedly dealing with a muscle injury. Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has already been ruled out because of an ankle injury. US Soccer had hoped this World Cup would prove how much the sport has grown in America. Instead, with ticket backlash, political debates, security fears and questions around the national team, the road to the tournament has become far more complicated than expected.

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