Teams like Senegal and Iraq are being discriminated against in the FIFA World Cup being held in America. Players and fans face stringent visa policies and humiliating screenings. The FIFA administration is silent on these incidents.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Update: Are they criminals for being treated like this? Today the entire football world is asking this same question. This question is to the Donald Trump administration and Gianni Infantino-led FIFA. Senegal’s national team reached San Antonio to participate in the FIFA World Cup being hosted by America. As soon as he stepped on American soil, he was surrounded by security officials on the runway itself. He was made to sit on a chair and everything from his hair to his nails was examined; even his shoes were thoroughly checked.
At the same time, the Uzbekistan team was welcomed with drug detection dog squad and metal detectors. Meaning, even today they are being suspected just because of their color and the name of the country. And these are the people who have come to play football on the biggest stage in the world. It is worth wondering whether this has ever happened with players from any European country?
First the fans, then journalists, team officials, players and now even referees, the list of those facing discrimination is getting longer. Infantino and FIFA, who constantly speak for world peace, against apartheid and racism, are completely silent on these actions of the Trump administration.
Recall that in 2017, when Trump first came to power, he imposed a travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries. Infantino then took a tough stance, saying, “Any team that qualifies for a FIFA tournament, their staff and fans will have to be allowed entry into the host country. If this does not happen, that country will not get to host the World Cup.” This was a direct warning to Trump.
But by 2026, when the Trump administration has tightened immigration policies and the shine of the World Cup is fading, Trump has become an ‘angel of peace’ for FIFA. According to reports, due to America’s strict rules, fans from countries like Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Ivory Coast are facing either a partial or complete travel ban.
Omar Abdul Kadir Artan was the first Somali referee to officiate at the World Cup. America did not even allow this man who created history to set foot on its soil and sent him back. On this, FIFA said that they will not interfere in the immigration policy of the host country and that country has the full right to decide who should be given entry.
On one hand Infantino is calling it ‘the biggest sports festival of mankind’, while on the other hand inhuman incidents are happening. In 2017, Infantino’s warning has become a joke. 15 officials of the Iranian team were not given visas, due to which the team had to shift their training to Mexico. Iran has been allowed to come to America just a day before the match.
Iraqi player Ayman Hussein, who led his country to qualify for the World Cup after decades, was detained for 7 hours at Chicago Airport. Iraqi team photographer Talal Sala was refused entry into the US after being made to wait for 10 hours at the airport. The South African team’s flight from Johannesburg was also delayed due to visa problems. When the condition of the players is like this, the condition of the fans can be estimated. The fans who reached America say that this World Cup is not in their budget in any way. Ticket prices are the highest in history, and accommodation is also very expensive. The difficulties in getting a visa are even greater.
For a visa, a person has to pay 185 US dollars i.e. about Rs 18,000. Apart from this, an interview will have to be given and a guarantee that they will return after the tournament. Last May, America placed another condition that those coming from qualified countries like Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia will have to keep a deposit of US $ 15,000 (about Rs 15 lakh). All these things seem very wrong at first glance.
Apart from all this, there is another big concern. Experts believe that the American World Cup will also prove to be a major disaster for the environment. FIFA has set a target of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and net-zero by 2040. But this long tournament, spanning three countries, will rely heavily on air travel. According to a report, it is estimated to produce 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is almost double the average of the last four World Cups. Environmental concerns, anti-labor practices and inhumane actions… all this reminds us that there is a dark truth behind the glamor of the World Cup.