Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter Criticizes U.S. Hosting of 2026 World Cup: Visa Policies, ‘America First’ Approach, and Unequal Match Distribution
Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA (who led the organization from 1998 to 2015 before being banned amid corruption scandals), has launched a scathing attack on the United States’ role as the primary host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.
In recent interviews and statements (including with Radio-Canada and various media outlets), Blatter argued that a World Cup should not be held in a country that imposes restrictive visa policies, preventing equal access for fans worldwide. He stated: “In principle, a World Cup should not be organized in a country that does not grant visas to everyone.” Blatter described U.S. immigration and entry rules—particularly under the current administration—as discriminatory, labeling them a reflection of an “America First” mindset that prioritizes national interests over the global, inclusive spirit of football.
“A World Cup should not be held in a country that does not grant visas,” Blatter emphasized. “There is a discriminatory policy in the United States against anything foreign — it’s simply ‘America First, America First’ — and that is sad, sad for the social and cultural value of football.”
Blatter also accused U.S. President Donald Trump of negatively influencing FIFA, calling his involvement “the worst thing that happened to FIFA” by injecting high-level politics into the sport’s governance. He claimed there has been insufficient opposition to this perceived interference.
A key point of Blatter’s criticism is the uneven distribution of matches across the three host nations. He highlighted that 78 out of the tournament’s 104 matches will be played on U.S. soil, with Canada and Mexico each hosting only 13 games. Blatter argued this imbalance is “not normal” and fails to promote equitable development of football across the region: “When putting the three countries together, their shares should have been roughly equal. This is not in the interest of developing football.”
The 2026 World Cup, the first expanded edition with 48 teams and 104 fixtures (running from June 11 to July 19, 2026), was awarded to the joint North American bid in 2018. The U.S. hosts the majority of games—including all from the quarterfinals onward—due to its larger infrastructure capacity (11 of the 16 venues are in the U.S., compared to 3 in Mexico and 2 in Canada).
Blatter’s remarks come amid broader controversies surrounding the tournament, including fan concerns over U.S. travel bans and immigration policies that have affected supporters from certain qualifying nations (such as restrictions impacting fans from Haiti, Iran, and others). He has previously backed calls for boycotts of U.S.-hosted matches over these issues.
FIFA has defended the hosting arrangement, emphasizing the tournament’s scale, economic benefits, and commitment to inclusivity through visa facilitation programs for accredited fans, teams, and officials. No official response from FIFA or the U.S. organizing committee to Blatter’s latest comments has been issued as of February 22, 2026.
Blatter, banned for life from football-related activities in 2016 (later reduced but still restricted until at least 2027), remains a polarizing figure whose views often draw sharp criticism due to his own controversial tenure at FIFA. His statements continue to fuel debate about politics, equity, and accessibility in global football ahead of the 2026 edition.
