How Trump could complicate Canada's 2026 World Cup hosting plans
Article content
Next year's FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever, with the three countries hosting a record 48 teams. Between June 11 and July 19, they will play 104 matches, most of them in the U.S.
Article content
Article content
Article content
With millions of fans expected to cross borders to attend the games, U.S. President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies — which include travel bans on some countries, immigration raids and mass deportations — are generating anxiety.
Article content
'This is all being driven by the United States. And we're entirely the guilty party here,' said Victor Matheson, a professor at College of Holy Cross in Massachusetts who specializes in sports economics.
Article content
'You could have significant immigration problems with fans and players going across borders.'
Article content
The U.S. has travel bans in place for 12 countries and restrictions in place for seven, and is considering banning travellers from another 36 countries.
Article content
Though there are exemptions for athletes, staff and families, the unpredictability of Trump's administration means no one knows for certain what kind of rules might be in place by the time the tournament starts.
Article content
Economist Andrew Zimbalist, who wrote a book on the economics of hosting the World Cup, said Trump has the ability to make it difficult for people to travel, but it's not clear whether he will actually do so.
Article content
Article content
'I think probably Trump himself might not have the answers because … he responds very impetuously to changes in his environment,' he said.
Article content
Article content
Concerns about visas or political opposition to Trump might lead some soccer fans to decide not to attend at all, while others opt to attend the games in Canada instead, Zimbalist suggested. But he also pointed out that the quarter, semifinals and final are all taking place in the U.S.
Article content
A spokesperson for Canadian Heritage said Canada could see a million international visitors during the tournament.
Article content
'Given the tri-national nature of the event, it is anticipated that international and domestic travellers will move back and forth between Canada and the United States. The focus will continue to be on the flow of movement, the safety of travellers and the security of the borders,' the spokesperson said.
Article content
A spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said the agency is working closely with federal government departments, host cities and FIFA 'in the safety and security planning for this international event.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Global News
6 minutes ago
- Global News
B.C. asks PM Carney to keep softwood on radar as tariff deadline looms
B.C. Premier David Eby says the federal government cannot forget about the fate of British Columbia's softwood lumber industry as the deadline for a trade deal between the United States and Canada is hours away. Aug. 1 is the deadline the United States has set for a trade deal with Canada, and Eby says he hopes his province's softwood lumber industry remains on the 'radar' of Prime Minister Mark Carney as Ottawa continues negotiations. 1:59 No word on Canada-U.S. trade deal progress, as Trump's deadline nears Eby told an unrelated news conference that the industry has been the 'canary in the coal mine' signalling American protectionism, saying Canadian softwood exports have been subject to 'unfair duties' for the 'better part of almost two generations,' well before the current trade dispute triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump. Story continues below advertisement But Eby says the dispute's long-standing nature does not mean the industry 'should be ignored,' and resolving it could actually help broker a larger deal. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The industry faces combined duties of 34.94 per cent, after the U.S. Department of Commerce hiked anti-dumping duties to 20.56 per cent. While other industries such as Ontario's automobile sector are important, Eby says the prolonged length of the softwood lumber dispute and pre-existing duties should not lead to the assumption that the industry is not a 'priority.'
CTV News
6 minutes ago
- CTV News
Indian fare always a favourite at Royal St. John's Regatta
Volunteers with the Hindu Temple in St. John's have been organizing a take out food stand at the regatta for more than 50 years — first beginning in the 1980s. Of the thousands of visitors who will trek to the Royal St. John's Regatta Wednesday, many have a single main attraction on their mind: The long-running Hindu Temple food stand that's become a staple of the event. Volunteers with the Hindu Temple in St. John's have been organizing a take out food stand at the regatta for more than 50 years — first beginning in the 1980s. The Indian fare attracts hundreds every year: So much so that even when the regatta, and the linked public holiday, is moved for poor weather, there's still enough demand for the food, that the sale can continue regardless. 'There are people who are returning just for this, every year' said Mini Nair, in a quick interview with CTV News between plating up dishes inside the tent. St. John's Proceeds from the sale of the food support the operations of the Hindu Temple in St. John's. Nair estimated volunteers with the Hindu Temple will serve between 2,000 to 2,500 meals on Wednesday. They're all vegetarian and classic Indian dishes: potato curry, chickpea curry, Naan bread, Samosas, and vegetable Biryani. 'We are really busy,' Nair said. 'There's not a single time when we are just sitting idle.' Proceeds from the sale of the food support the operations of the Hindu Temple in St. John's. Though the Royal St. John's Regatta is organized around rowing races, many of the spectators have food on their mind when they head down to Quidi Vidi lake. 'The Hindu Temple is my favourite,' said one mother while wrangling her son, Sandy, towards another game down by the lake. 'There's a lot of food trucks here, it's just really fun.' The unique public holiday can be delayed when weather conditions make rowing races unfavourable. On Wednesday, however, clear skies and a relatively light breeze meant the races were a 'go,' and most workplaces throughout St. John's were shut down. That was good news for the thousands in the city who stayed up late at a concert in Churchill Square, featuring The Killers, or other events and bars across St. John's. The Royal St. John's Regatta is more than 200 years old. Organizers say it's one of the oldest continuously-running sporting events in North America. Aside from it's weather dependence, it's also one of the few competitive rowing events featuring the fixed-seat style of rowing. For the dozens of community groups who set up tents to sell food or run games of skill or chance, it's also a very important fundraising day. Nair says the Hindu Temple has earned it's reputation as a landmark of Regatta Day. 'I think it's because we make fresh food and it's yummy and we make it with love.'
CTV News
6 minutes ago
- CTV News
Canada to recognize state of Palestine in September, Carney says
Canada plans to recognize the state of Palestine at the next session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday. Carney made the comments on Parliament Hill, alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, following a meeting of his cabinet to discuss the state of trade negotiations with the U.S. and the situation in the Middle East. This is a breaking news story. More to come.
