Latest news with #MegKane
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
World Cup 2026 host cities say fans 'welcome'
American World Cup host city officials assured Monday that overseas fans would be welcome at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico despite "uncertainty" amid ongoing concerns over visas, border controls and social unrest. In a briefing in New York that came just over a year from the opening game of the tournament on June 11, 2026, officials said President Donald Trump's administration remained "extremely supportive" of the World Cup. Since returning to power, Trump has started a global trade war, threatened to annex Canada and launched a border crackdown that has led to harsh treatment of foreign visitors attempting to enter the United States. Trump's immigration offensive has in turn led to civil unrest, with clashes in Los Angeles over the weekend triggered by large-scale raids last week. Eleven American cities will host the bulk of the games at next year's World Cup, which is being co-hosted by three nations for the first time and has been expanded to include 48 teams. Executives from the local organising committees for the 11 US World Cup venues gathered in New York on Monday to brief on logistical aspects of the tournament, including transportation, stadium access, fan zones as well as general access to the United States. "For each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome," said Meg Kane, head of the Philadelphia organising committee. - 'Extremely supportive' - Kane said while officials were planning "within uncertainty" due to matters taking place at national and international level, the Trump administration was firmly behind the tournament. "We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made," Kane said. "What we can say is that the current administration -- while there are certain situations that we are monitoring closely -- has been extremely supportive of FIFA World Cup." Alex Lasry, the chief executive of the New York/New Jersey World Cup committee said officials were bracing for "millions" of fans inside and outside the stadiums irrespective of the political climate. "I think sports transcends geopolitics," Lasry told AFP. "I think we've seen that for Olympics. We've seen it for other World Cups, in Qatar or Russia. "People want to come to these mega sporting events, and they're going to travel to ensure that they're able to cheer on and see their team play. "Our job as a host committee is to make sure that we are putting on an event and making sure that our city and our region is ready to welcome everyone who's able to come to the World Cup," added Lasry, who was previously an assistant secretary for tourism in President Joe Biden's government. Los Angeles World Cup committee vice-president Jason Krutzsch said organisers were working to ensure fans "understand that they are welcome in Los Angeles and will have an amazing World Cup experience." "We're working closely with the administration," Krutzsch said adding that Trump's World Cup Task Force was established to "make sure that we can welcome fans from around the world and deliver an exceptional experience." As well as hosting games at the World Cup, Los Angeles will also stage the Super Bowl in 2027 before hosting the 2028 Olympics. "We really want to make sure that 2026 goes well," Krutzsch said. "We're really focused on delivering an exceptional experience in 2026 for the world. "But they're also learning opportunities (...) to be successful in 2028."
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year's tournament
NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia's host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration may be among the outside events that impact next year's tournament. 'There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we're planning within uncertainty,' Meg Kane said Monday at a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders, one year and two days ahead of the tournament opener. The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games. All matches from the quarterfinals on will be in the U.S., with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 'Whether it's the Olympics, whether it's a World Cup, whether it's a Super Bowl, you name it, anytime you've got a major international sporting event, geopolitics is going to have a role,' said Alex Vasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey host committee. Kane said the host committees must adapt to decisions made by others. 'One of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty,' Kane said. 'I think for each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome. We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.' Trump's travel ban on citizens from 12 countries exempted athletes, coaches, staff and relatives while not mentioning fans. 'We allow for FIFA to continue having constructive conversations with the administrations around visas, around workforce, around tourism,' Kane said. FIFA is running the World Cup for the first time without a local organizing committee in the host nation. Asked in late April whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino was available to discuss the tournament, FIFA director of media relations Bryan Swanson forwarded the request to a member of the media relations staff, who did not make Infantino available. Legislation approved by the House of Representatives and awaiting action in the Senate would appropriate $625 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 'for security, planning, and other costs related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.' The 11 U.S. host committees have been consulting with each other on issues such as transportation for teams and VIPs, and for arranging fan fests. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after fans breached security gates. 'Certainly we were not involved in the planning or the logistics for that particular match,' said Alina Hudak, CEO of the Miami World Cup host committee. She said local police 'have done an extensive review of the after-action reports related to that in collaboration with the stadium and so all of the things that happened are in fact being reviewed and addressed and I can assure you that everything is being done within our power to make sure that the appropriate measures are being placed, the appropriate perimeters.' ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
World Cup host city organizers acknowledge immigration crackdown may impact next year's tournament
From left, Atlanta president Dan Corso, North Texas organizing committee president Monica Paul, Houston president Chris Canetti, San Francisco Bay Area CEO Zaileen Janmohamed, Philadelphia executive Meg Kane, (New York/New Jersey CEO Alex Lasry, Miami CEO Alina Hudak, Seattle chief strategy officer April Putney, Kansas City CEO Pam Kramer, Boston CEO Mike Loynd, and Los Angeles vice president Jason Krutzsch meet at the Paley Center in New York a year ahead of the 2026 World Cup, on Monday, June 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ronald Blum) NEW YORK (AP) — Philadelphia's host city executive for the 2026 World Cup says organizers accept that an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration may be among the outside events that impact next year's tournament. "There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level, there are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going affect the tournament next year, so we recognize that we're planning within uncertainty,' Meg Kane said Monday at a gathering of the 11 U.S. host city leaders, one year and two days ahead of the tournament opener. Advertisement The World Cup will be played at 16 stadiums in the U.S., Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year, a tournament expanded to 48 nations and 104 games. All matches from the quarterfinals on will be in the U.S., with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 'Whether it's the Olympics, whether it's a World Cup, whether it's a Super Bowl, you name it, anytime you've got a major international sporting event, geopolitics is going to have a role,' said Alex Vasry, CEO of the New York/New Jersey host committee. Kane said the host committees must adapt to decisions made by others. 'One of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty,' Kane said. 'I think for each of our cities, we want to be prepared to make any person that is coming and makes the decision to come to the United States or come to this World Cup feel that they are welcome. We do not play a role necessarily in what is happening in terms of the decisions that are made.' Advertisement Trump's travel ban on citizens from 12 countries exempted athletes, coaches, staff and relatives while not mentioning fans. 'We allow for FIFA to continue having constructive conversations with the administrations around visas, around workforce, around tourism,' Kane said. FIFA is running the World Cup for the first time without a local organizing committee in the host nation. Asked in late April whether FIFA president Gianni Infantino was available to discuss the tournament, FIFA director of media relations Bryan Swanson forwarded the request to a member of the media relations staff, who did not make Infantino available. Legislation approved by the House of Representatives and awaiting action in the Senate would appropriate $625 million to the Federal Emergency Management Agency 'for security, planning, and other costs related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.' Advertisement The 11 U.S. host committees have been consulting with each other on issues such as transportation for teams and VIPs, and for arranging fan fests. At the last major soccer tournament in the U.S., the 2024 Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, started 82 minutes late after fans breached security gates. 'Certainly we were not involved in the planning or the logistics for that particular match,' said Alina Hudak, CEO of the Miami World Cup host committee. She said local police 'have done an extensive review of the after-action reports related to that in collaboration with the stadium and so all of the things that happened are in fact being reviewed and addressed and I can assure you that everything is being done within our power to make sure that the appropriate measures are being placed, the appropriate perimeters.' ___ AP soccer:
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Host city CEOs say US immigration raids create ‘uncertainty' for 2026 World Cup
Executives from the US host city committees for next year's World Cup said on Monday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) raids have created 'uncertainty' as they prepare to host an influx of foreign visitors. The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, will take place in 11 cities across the US, and is predcited to draw more than five million visitors over the course of the 40-day tournament. However, visa processing times have been slow for several countries, travel bans have been instituted (including for recently qualified Iran), and raids ostensibly aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants have seen the government arrest and deport visa holders, permanent residents and even citizens. At a gathering in New York City, Philadelphia host committee CEO Meg Kane spoke for the group when asked by the Guardian what impact the Ice raids have had on the organizations' ability to welcome fans with open arms – a message disseminated by the host cities themselves and Fifa president Gianni Infantino. 'There are certainly things that are happening at the national level, the international level. There are going to be geopolitical issues that we don't even know right now that are going to affect the tournament next year,' Kane said in part. 'We recognize that we're planning within uncertainty. And one of the things that I think we all recognize is that we have to be really good at operating within that uncertainty. While there are certain situations that we are watching … the [Trump] administration has been extremely supportive of Fifa World Cup. It has recognized both in the second term under President Trump, but also in the first term under President Trump, when the letters of intent were signed, how important the Fifa World Cup is to elevating the nation.' The host city committees are concerned, in part, with communicating potential issues to fans in areas such as transportation, lodging, and safety. All host city heads said they hoped to provide a welcoming environment for all who visit for the World Cup, but demurred when asked how they deal with the contrast of that message alongside heavy-handed immigration crackdowns and travel bans. 'I mean, we're all watching it and monitoring it real time,' said Jason Krutzsch, vice president of the Los Angeles host city committee when asked about the situation in his home city, which is currently experiencing a raft of violence surrounding Ice raids and the deployment of the national guard. 'I think our goal is still to deliver the conceptional experience and work with our local administration and public safety officials and making sure that we can deliver a safe and secure event in a year.' Krutzsch, Kane, and other host city chairs said that they are confident that Fifa and the federal government are discussing the topic, but ultimately the decision on who to allow into the US for the World Cup lies with those two bodies. 'I think the right people at the federal level, at the Fifa level, are having those conversations,' said Mike Loynd, president of the Boston host city committee. 'And I think the intent, even there, is to welcome the world. It's really not our place in the organization to comment on anything other than that.' Added Kane: 'We allow for Fifa to continue having constructive conversations with the administrations around visas, around workforce, around tourism, and that will be prepared for whatever comes our way to make this a great tournament, because that's what the charge of the host cities are.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
With the 2026 World Cup near, Nations League finals kick off a series of 2025 'tests' in U.S.
Walk through the halls of Congress, or the streets of any bustling U.S. city, and you'll likely encounter a 2026 World Cup quirk without knowing it. That tournament, the Mundial, the most mega of mega events, is coming to North America next summer. But the people organizing it sometimes get dispiriting, semi-alarming reactions when they mention the World Cup to random Americans or acquaintances. Some will ask: Where is it? Or: When? Or even: When's the bid? Whereas most World Cups have inundated and energized their hosts, Americans — with endless options for entertainment, and daily concerns about their democracy or livelihoods, and a relative indifference toward soccer — 'don't seem to have an accurate understanding' of the celebration that's coming to their shores, as one person close to the planning effort said. And that, throughout 2025, with a steady stream of smaller soccer events, is one thing the hosts hope to change. Nine of the 11 U.S. stadiums slated to stage the 2026 World Cup will also serve as hosts for regional tournaments or the Club World Cup this spring and summer. Officials in those cities see the 2025 competitions as both 'tests' of their readiness and 'opportunities.' They know they need to inject their respective regions with the type of awareness and excitement that would come more naturally in other countries. In Philadelphia, for example, the Club World Cup is an 'opportunity to drive interest and enthusiasm and momentum toward '26,' Meg Kane, the CEO of Philly's World Cup host committee, told Yahoo Sports. And, it's more than that. 'We're lucky, to some extent, because the Club World Cup gives us an opportunity to think about how we might want to do things, and … to see where we can improve things,' Kane said. She mentioned assessing security plans and the 'resiliency' of Philadelphia's public transportation system, under the stress of an influx of international soccer fans. Other host committee heads see an opportunity to disprove concerns that the U.S. is, in fact, not ready for the millions of visitors. They all know, of course, that the 2026 World Cup will be a different beast. Although FIFA has been telling local organizers and U.S. government officials that the Club World Cup will be 'as big as the last [men's] World Cup,' according to multiple people who've heard FIFA's pitch, they know that the 2026 tournament will require resources and processes unlike any they've ever put in place. Still, though, they're approaching 2025 as a series of dress rehearsals — beginning with the CONCACAF Nations League finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, this week. SoFi will host that showdown of the top four men's national teams in North and Central America. It will then host CONCACAF Gold Cup games in June, with an April friendly pitting the U.S. women's national team vs. Brazil sandwiched in between. 'So,' said Adolfo Romero, SoFi Stadium's VP of events, 'we have [three] opportunities to test out everything we want to do in preparation for the World Cup.' Most of the 11 venues, although primarily NFL stadiums, have extensive experience with elite soccer. Together, they've also hosted nine Super Bowls, seven College Football Playoff title games and a few dozen nights of Taylor Swift. But none has ever hosted anything akin to what's coming in 2026. Key differences include the global nature of the World Cup and its cadence. Each stadium will stage six-plus games over a span of multiple weeks. Each city will also put on fan festivals. FIFA expects activations on matchdays and non-matchdays alike. This, specifically, is why executives at SoFi and its surrounding campus, Hollywood Park, saw the Nations League finals as an opportunity. They begin with two semifinals — U.S. vs. Panama, Mexico vs. Canada — on Thursday. They conclude with Sunday's third-place match and final, with two off days in between. The schedule, Romero said, is the "same style to a World Cup'; so he and colleagues saw it as a chance for something of a dry run. They'll host a concert at Hollywood Park's theatre on Friday, a 'community day' Saturday, and a 'fan zone' with food trucks and other activities throughout the event. 'The hope,' Romero explained to Yahoo Sports, is that 'seeing these games come to life, and seeing the natural movement of people throughout our venues, and what spaces work, what spaces don't work,' will allow them and L.A.'s World Cup host committee to optimize those spaces next summer. Inside the stadium, engineers and agronomists will also evaluate a recently installed, highly specialized 'hybrid' grass field, which will serve as 'the model for the FIFA 2026 World Cup pitch,' as Otto Benedict, SoFi's SVP of facilities, told Yahoo Sports. And in locker rooms, national team coaches will evaluate their players — who are vying for a trophy but also jockeying for World Cup roster spots. But the utility of these games as preliminary exams extends well beyond the white lines — and well beyond Los Angeles. Organizers acknowledge that the Nations League and Club World Cup are bit-size samples. The 'big World Cup,' as one host committee leader dubbed it, will attract far more fans from a wider variety of nations. It will bring dignitaries and perhaps President Donald Trump. It will demand more buses, more signage, more brainpower and more policing. Security checkpoints and perimeters, for example, will be set much farther outside stadiums than American fans are used to. The Nations League perimeter, by comparison, will be 'totally different than what you would see for a World Cup,' Romero confirmed. The various competitions also differ organizationally. The Nations League and Gold Cup are run by CONCACAF, the governing body of soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The Club World Cup is run by FIFA, the global governing body, in partnership with the owners and operators of each respective stadium. The 'big World Cup,' on the other hand, is a city-wide affair. The stadiums and local governments have signed a series of contracts with FIFA. Each of the 11 localities has formed a 'host committee' to fulfill its obligations — and to fundraise to cover associated costs. Those host committees aren't technically involved in the Club World Cup. They see it, though, as 'a milestone moment to create a lot of energy,' as Miami host committee CEO Alina Hudak told Yahoo Sports. 'And we all know fundraising is tied to that.' They will 'utilize' it, as another host committee member said, 'not just to test our transportation and security methods, but also' to drum up interest among potential corporate sponsors. 'Nothing is on the scale and scope of the World Cup,' that host committee member clarified. But there will nonetheless be keen, hands-on observers in Miami and Philly, in Northern California and North Jersey, in Seattle and Atlanta, in Houston and Dallas and, beginning this week, in L.A. 'This,' Romero said of the Nations League finals, 'is a preview.'
