Miami World Cup officials play down travel concerns a year from kick-off
AS A GLEAMING clock began ticking towards the 2026 World Cup, Miami officials launched the city's one-year countdown seeking to allay fears that America's stricter immigration stance could deter the overseas fans that it hopes to attract.
The celebratory unveiling on Wednesday, featuring singer Marc Anthony, came just days after unrest in Los Angeles and amid the implementation of stricter border controls under President Donald Trump's administration.
'I don't think anybody has anything to be afraid of. Miami is an incredibly welcoming place, and we're very excited to welcome the world,' Alina T. Hudak, president of the 2026 Miami Host Committee, said at the countdown event.
The digital clock, soon to greet travellers at Miami International Airport, marks 365 days until the start of the biggest World Cup in history — 48 teams playing 104 matches across three North American nations.
However, security arrangements have drawn particular scrutiny, especially regarding the involvement of immigration enforcement agencies.
Rodney Barreto, co-chair of the Miami Host Committee, confirmed that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be involved in security operations.
'They will be there to support us with security, but not to capture people,' he said.
At Fiorito, an Argentine restaurant in Miami's Little Haiti neighbourhood, fans of the South American nation's defending champions expressed confidence that their countrymen would travel regardless of restrictions.
'Wherever the World Cup is, it's great ... We're excited about being world champions and we can do much more,' Argentina supporter Nicolas Lomazzi told Reuters.
'What matters here is money, and they're going to make a lot with the World Cup, so they'll open the door for us all,' added Emmanuel, an Argentina supporter hopeful of witnessing what could be captain Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance.
For Miami, a city shaped by successive waves of immigration, hosting the tournament represents a delicate balancing act — showcasing its multicultural identity while navigating an increasingly complex immigration landscape that threatens the smooth running of the biggest World Cup yet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
43 minutes ago
- The Star
Soccer-Messi magic needed for Inter Miami as injuries pile up
Soccer Football - Club World Cup - Inter Miami Training - Florida Blue Training Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. - June 13, 2025 Inter Miami's Lionel Messi during training REUTERS/Hannah Mckay MIAMI (Reuters) -Inter Miami will have to rely heavily on Lionel Messi's firepower as they prepare for Saturday's Club World Cup opener against Al-Ahly, with coach Javier Mascherano forced to re-shuffle his backline due to a string of injuries. Fullback Jordi Alba, fellow defender Gonzalo Lujan and defensive midfielder Yannick Bright have all been ruled out of the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium. "They are not available for this game, hopefully they will be for the second game," Mascherano told a press conference on Friday. Alba, one of Messi's former Barcelona teammates, is sidelined with a hamstring issue. There were also concerns regarding the fitness of centre back David Martinez. "David had some kind of pain yesterday and we did not want to take any risks," said Mascherano. "The reality is that throughout the season, the team have dealt with injuries, but the players who stepped in rose to the challenge. That gives us peace of mind," he said. Miami have conceded 16 goals in their last six competitive games. Much of Miami's chances rest on Messi's shoulders. "He's in good shape this season. There were moments when we had to give him some time to rest, but he's played the last 15 games, except for the match against Dallas when we rested the entire squad," said Mascherano. "We were also fortunate he was able to rest during Argentina's last two games," he added referring to Messi playing 111 minutes in Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia earlier this month. "It's our responsibility to create the right environment for him to shine." Miami will also take on Porto and Palmeiras in the 32-club competition. (Reporting by Julien Pretot; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Saudi Arabia, Qatar to host fourth round of Asia's World Cup qualifiers
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been awarded the hosting rights for the fourth round of Asia's 2026 World Cup preliminaries in October, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday. The pair have reached the next phase of the continent's qualifiers and will be joined by Iraq, Oman, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates in the draw, which takes place on July 17. The decision to award the rights to Saudi Arabia and Qatar comes after Iraq confirmed earlier this week that they had bid to host one of the groups. Teams will be divided into two groups of three nations and the winners of each will join Japan, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea and Jordan in qualifying for the newly-expanded 48-nation finals from the continental preliminaries. Games will be played across three match days from Oct. 8 to 14. The runners-up in each group will advance to a playoff in November, with the winners of that clash featuring in an intercontinental playoff tournament in March to determine the two remaining World Cup spots. The six competing nations qualified for the fourth phase by finishing either third or fourth in their respective groups in the third round of qualifying, which was completed on Tuesday.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Real Madrid sign River Plate starlet Mastantuono
MADRID: Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign teenage playmaker Franco Mastantuono from River Plate, the Spanish giants announced on Friday. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder cost Madrid just over 63 million euros ($72 million), according to a statement by River Plate. Mastantuono will play in the Club World Cup in the United States this summer with the Argentine club before moving to the Spanish capital. "Mastantuono will be a player at our club for the next six seasons, from 14 August 2025 to 30 June 2031," said Los Blancos in a statement. "At 17, he is also the youngest player to play an official match for the Argentina national team in its history." He made his national team debut earlier this month against Chile in a World Cup 2026 qualifier. "Mastantuono executed his release fee clause, along with Real Madrid," explained River Plate, providing full financial details of the deal which earns them 45 million euros, with the rest of the money largely distributed on taxes. "Thank you Franco for your performance and talent, it has been a pride to see you grow at the club," the statement continued. "We wish you all the best in this new era which comes after the Club World Cup." The midfielder came through the River academy and made his first team debut for the club in January 2024. He is Real Madrid's third signing this summer behind Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. Madrid also appointed Xabi Alonso as their new coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti, after failing to win a major trophy this season.
