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The Hill
5 hours ago
- The Hill
Lessons from the Club World Cup for upcoming US mega-sporting events
The FIFA Club World Cup was the opening act of a new era in American global sports diplomacy: the age of mega-sporting events. With the FIFA World Cup set for 2026 and the Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympic Games for 2028, the 2025 Club World Cup provided a timely test — not just for stadiums and infrastructure, but also for immigration and border management systems that had to screen millions of travelers on short notice to ensure the event was a success. How did the Trump administration perform? Surprisingly well, when one considers that the Club World Cup occurred in the middle of sweeping changes to immigration policy and multiple foreign policy challenges. Success can be attributed in large part to the formation of a White House task force led by Andrew Giuliani. Under his leadership, the task force brought together the relevant government agencies — including the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department — to coordinate visa processing, entry protocols and high-volume travel planning. The administration's Club World Cup response demonstrated an important, pragmatic use of executive authority and agency coordination. The influx of athletes, referees, support staff, media and fans traveling to the U.S. during a compressed timeframe posed significant logistical challenges. Anticipating this, the administration took proactive steps to prepare, operating within existing legal frameworks to respond swiftly and effectively. For example, dedicated points of contact across key immigration agencies eased communication and allowed the government to quickly troubleshoot any issues that arose. Travelers reported generally smooth entry experiences and no major delays at the border. Event organizers praised the level of cooperation they received from federal agencies. In a political climate often defined by division, this quiet success story underscores what is possible when operational planning is prioritized over rhetoric. At the same time, the Club World Cup also revealed areas where improvement is necessary as the U.S. starts to prepare to host the FIFA World Cup next summer and the Olympics in 2028. Even with a responsive interagency framework in place, the system strained at several points. The visa process is complicated and difficult to navigate as procedures vary around the world. Many consular processing posts abroad have not fully reduced visa backlogs, making it difficult for applicants to get interviews on time without receiving an expedited appointment, which is typically reserved for emergency and humanitarian travel. Inconsistent application of U.S. laws and policies across embassies and consulates, as well as at domestic ports of entry, also leads to traveler confusion. The administration must also work within the bounds of existing immigration laws, processes and antiquated technology that are not set up for global sporting events and can frustrate the ability to meet the moment. Any temporary workarounds are unlikely to scale during the vastly larger World Cup and Olympic events. To the Trump administration's credit, it is aware of these challenges, although what longer-term improvements will look like remains unclear. Congress and the executive branch still have time to take action. This should include creating a new mega-event visa or electronic travel authorization program for certain accredited individuals (teams and support staff, referees and other technical officials, media and broadcast personnel, employees of organizing bodies and corporate sponsors), which could streamline the entire immigration process and establish unified eligibility standards across these key communities. The administration should invest in digital infrastructure that supports a single, cohesive worldwide application process and that modernizes the visa process. This would not only provide a better customer service experience, but also streamline processing, allowing the government to use its limited resources effectively and allowing the system to meet growing global demand with greater agility. Formalizing event-specific interagency coordination as a standard federal practice would help ensure consistent responses for these and other global events, regardless of the administration in office. These improvements are ultimately about refining a system that is poised to face even greater demands. The Club World Cup demonstrated that when the immigration system is empowered to operate strategically and collaboratively, it can meet even the most complex logistical challenges without compromising national security. The groundwork laid by the Trump administration was a meaningful step forward — one that deserves recognition and continued refinement. As America prepares to welcome the world again in 2026 and 2028, we have a valuable opportunity to build on this foundation. Billions of dollars are on the line and the stakes are high, both from an economic and foreign policy perspective. In rising to meet the demands of this tournament, the Trump administration demonstrated what competent, coordinated immigration planning can achieve. Now, the task ahead is to ensure that this early success becomes a lasting legacy — one that allows the U.S. to lead not just on the field, but at the border as well. Tiffany Derentz is senior counsel at BAL, a leading immigration law firm. She previously worked with the Department of State in the Bureau of Consular Affairs and as a senior adviser to the chief legal adviser for immigration affairs. She has worked with FIFA during the course of her career.
Business Insider
12 hours ago
- Business Insider
Integral named Nigeria's exclusive sales agent, of on location for FIFA World Cup 26TM hospitality sales
As an Officially Appointed Exclusive Sales Agent, Integral will be the point of contact in Nigeria to sell official hospitality packages for the FIFA World Cup 26™. 'We are thrilled to partner with our new international sales agent, Integral, on the FIFA World Cup 26™,' said Alicia Falken, General Manager of On Location's FIFA World Cup 26™ business. 'Their expertise in hospitality sales in Nigeria and deep understanding of their market will be instrumental in ensuring that our clients receive unparalleled service.' Fans are urged not to purchase tickets or packages from unauthorized platforms or sellers as FIFA reserves the right to cancel tickets obtained via unofficial channels. While there may be offers of unauthorized tickets and hospitality packages currently in the market, On Location is the only official hospitality provider of the FIFA World Cup 26™. On Location is proud to collaborate with respective Host Committees and their partners including local teams. Additionally On Location is partnering with Major League Soccer and the League's clubs across the U.S. and Canada as official appointed Sales Agents for the tournament. The full list of authorized global sales agents will be published on and added to once a region is announced. About Integral INTEGRAL is a leading sports management and marketing company with operations in Nigeria, Canada, Poland, the UAE and the United Kingdom. Our Hospitality experience over 15 years, includes 5 consecutive FIFA World Cup™ tournaments, working with FIFA and their appointed Hospitality Partners, previously MATCH Hospitality AG and now, On Location, to deliver premium matchday experiences to brands, fans, individuals and corporate organisations. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be our 3rd consecutive FIFA World Cup™ as the Exclusive Agent in Nigeria, for the sale of the Official Hospitality Programme. Our appointments reflect our track record and the trust that our partners have in our ability to continue connecting Nigerians with the World's biggest sporting event. About On Location On Location is a premium experience provider, offering world class hospitality, ticketing, curated guest experiences, live event production, and travel management across sports, entertainment, and fashion. From unrivaled access for corporate clients to guests looking for fully immersive experiences at marquee events, On Location is the premier and official service provider to over 150 iconic rights holders, such as the IOC (Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026, LA 2028), NFL, NCAA, UFC and PGA of America, and numerous musical artists and festivals. The company also owns and operates a number of unique and exclusive experiences, transforming the most dynamic live events into a lifetime of memories. On Location is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens files re-election paperwork at City Hall
The Brief Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens officially filed paperwork Monday to run for a second term, surrounded by supporters, family members, and city staff at City Hall. Dickens touted his first-term accomplishments, including 11,000 affordable housing units, reduced crime, expanded green space, and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Calling Atlanta a "group project," the mayor said the city is gaining national attention and urged voters to continue the progress with "four more years." ATLANTA - Mayor Andre Dickens officially launched his bid for a second term Tuesday, filing re-election paperwork at City Hall while flanked by enthusiastic supporters, his mother and his sister. Dickens, who says he first dreamed of becoming Atlanta's mayor at just 16 years old, said he's proud of the progress made during his first term — and eager to build on it. What they're saying "What we've built so far — the group project is working," Dickens said. "We set the foundation for a truly bright future in this city. This election isn't just about me; it's about building what Atlantans have always dreamed of and showing the world what happens when Atlantans fight together." The mayor pointed to several accomplishments, including the creation of 11,000 affordable housing units, reductions in violent crime, expanded green space and efforts to close income gaps. He also highlighted investments in public safety, upgrades to aging infrastructure and preparations for Atlanta to host FIFA World Cup events next year. As supporters chanted "four more years," Dickens said that national publications are taking note of Atlanta's momentum — and stressed that all eyes will be on the city in the months ahead. The other side Dickens isn't the only person who wants to be mayor of Atlanta. Other candidates include Walter Reeves, Marcus Lamar, Helmut Domagalski, Kalema Jackson, Larmetria Trammell and Eddie Meredith. Solve the daily Crossword
