FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani has played down growing political and security concerns surrounding the upcoming World Cup, insisting such issues are part of the tournament’s historical backdrop and will ultimately fade once the competition begins.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, has faced a complex build-up. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Middle East, domestic security concerns in Mexico, and strict immigration policies under Donald Trump, have all contributed to uncertainty among participating nations and travelling supporters.
Iran have already indicated they will not fulfil fixtures scheduled in the United States, citing safety concerns after warnings directed at their players. Meanwhile, fans from multiple countries have reported difficulties with visa processes and concerns about potential treatment by immigration authorities.
Speaking at the Business of Soccer conference in Atlanta, Montagliani — who also leads CONCACAF — emphasised that such challenges are not unique to this edition of the tournament.
He pointed to historical precedents, including the politically charged 1978 FIFA World Cup, which took place during Argentina’s military dictatorship, as evidence that geopolitical tensions have long intersected with global football events.
According to Montagliani, modern concerns appear more pronounced due to increased media scrutiny and the amplifying effect of social media, rather than representing a fundamentally different situation.
Gianni Infantino has also faced criticism over his relationship with Donald Trump, including appearances at political events and the awarding of a newly introduced FIFA Peace Prize to the US president during the World Cup draw in December.
These developments have added another layer of attention to the tournament’s off-field narrative, raising questions about governance and political alignment at the highest level of world football.
Despite the external noise, Montagliani reiterated that FIFA’s primary objective is to ensure a safe and well-organised tournament across all three host nations.
He stressed the importance of strong cooperation with federal governments in the United States, Mexico and Canada to guarantee security for players, officials and supporters alike.
Ultimately, FIFA’s stance remains that once the tournament kicks off, attention will shift away from political discourse and back to the action on the pitch — a pattern Montagliani believes has defined every previous World Cup.
