The DHS shutdown and U.S. immigration policies could hinder the World Cup

The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and restrictive U.S. immigration policies—such as travel bans affecting Haitian and Iranian citizens and high bond requirements for visitors—pose significant risks to the FIFA World Cup's success in North America. Despite FIFA's public 'all systems go' stance, concerns persist about fan access, cross-border coordination with Canada and Mexico, and the U.S.'s unwelcoming posture deterring international visitors. Host cities like Kansas City are making security investments, but gaps in federal support and immigration enforcement create uncertainty around safety, attendance, and the overall fan experience.

Understand how U.S. immigration policy and government dysfunction could undermine a major global event, with real implications for security, diplomacy, and soft power.

1. 01Travel bans and a $15,000 bond requirement for some nationalities mean fans from countries like Haiti and Iran may be barred from attending matches in the U.S., even if their teams qualify.
2. 02The DHS shutdown undermines federal support for host cities, creating planning gaps in security, intelligence sharing, and management of threats like drones and crowd control.
3. 03FIFA envisioned a unified North American event, but disjointed immigration policies, political hostility, and enforcement fears risk diminishing attendance and damaging the U.S.'s reputation as a global host.