News/Commentary

Report blames Trump’s immigration crackdown for international fans skipping FIFA World Cup

May 5, 2026 | | Print Article

Because of what appears to be a global boycott of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, America may not achieve the $30 billion economic boom predicted by President Donald Trump.

During a White House meeting in November with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the president predicted that the World Cup “is going to have a $30 billion impact economically in this country” and “create nearly 200,000 jobs for America.”

But a new report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) suggests otherwise.

“The market-by-market report, which surveyed hoteliers across host cities, found that anticipated demand has not translated into strong hotel bookings and that domestic travelers are outpacing international visitors,” according to the AHLA.

The agency attributed this drop in international interest to “room block cancellations, international travel barriers, and rising costs.”

The barriers referred to President Trump’s strict immigration rules.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Even with global anticipation building, the path to the U.S. for many World Cup travelers feels increasingly less like a red-carpet welcome,” the AHLA’s actual report reads.

“There is a perception that international travelers may face lengthy visa wait times, increased visa fees, and lingering uncertainty around entry processing. For those who do make the journey, concerns do not end at the border – questions about airport security screening, wait times, and airport congestion add another layer of hesitation,” it continues.

Indeed, Amnesty International, a left-wing organization, has warned international World Cup fans who visit the U.S. that they may be at risk of “troubling attacks on human rights” while here.

“The US Government has deported more than 500,000 people from the USA in 2025 – more than six times as many people than will watch the World Cup final in the MetLife Stadium,” Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The record-breaking surge of unlawful arrests and deportations has only been possible because of the erosion of due process safeguards, undermining the rights to liberty and security of hundreds of thousands of migrants and refugees. These policies have torn communities apart and created a climate of fear throughout the USA. It’s a deeply troubling time in the US, which will certainly extend to fans who want to take part in World Cup celebrations,” he added.

The good news is that the International Business Times noted that “there is no verified coordinated boycott movement” at this time.

The bad news is that this may not be enough to stave off the effects of not only Trump’s domestic border policies but also the war in Iran.

Iran reportedly said in March that it’d boycott any FIFA matches in the United States because of safety concerns, but still participate in the overall World Cup by competing in Canada and Mexico instead.

ADVERTISEMENT

This doesn’t mean there haven’t been calls for a boycott. The Los Angeles Times noted that such calls “have [in fact] grown louder and louder,” though the paper also conceded that the chances of a boycott of the World Cup being successful were very low.

Take, for instance, those would-be World Cup attendees who are now choosing to sell their tickets.

“FIFA will benefit from the change in plans, gaining a 15% fee from the seller and a 15% fee from the buyer of resold tickets,” according to the Times.

Vivek Saxena
Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles