• Some users compare FIFA’s stance to the Russia-Ukraine war, where Russia was banned from all competitions, and see a “double standard” if any US intervention occurs in neighboring countries.

US president Donald Trump has returned to the global stage, not only in security and drug trafficking issues but also in one of the most sensitive international sports matters: World Cup 2026.

Between sharp statements, hints of military action, and rising outrage on social media, the pressing question is whether hosting the World Cup in the US is now at risk.

Throughout 2025 and 2026, Trump has remained prominent in daily online discussions, especially after comments on drug trafficking in Mexico linked directly to US national security. With the end of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro’s term and related political developments, Trump’s remarks were interpreted as warnings extending beyond Venezuela, directly to Mexico.

In a controversial Fox News interview, Trump did not hesitate to hint at possible operations inside Mexican territory under the pretext of combating drug cartels, claiming the US stopped 97% of drug trafficking via waterways and would now act by land. Many saw these statements as a dangerous escalation affecting the sovereignty of a neighboring country.

Trump added that “cartels run Mexico,” blaming drug gangs for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually in the US, words that triggered strong criticism, especially in Mexico and Latin America.

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum responded firmly, emphasizing close security cooperation between the countries but rejecting any US military intervention on Mexican soil.

In parallel with this political escalation, social media has seen campaigns urging FIFA to withdraw World Cup 2026 from the US, arguing Trump’s statements and any potential military moves contradict the peace values the tournament promotes.

Some users compare FIFA’s position to the Russia-Ukraine war, noting Russia’s exclusion from all competitions, and see “double standards” if any potential US intervention in neighboring countries is ignored.

So far, FIFA has not issued any official statement regarding changing the World Cup venue, scheduled to be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada. However, public outrage is growing, and pressure on the international federation is increasing as the tournament approaches.

Caught between politics and sports, World Cup 2026 finds itself in an unprecedented storm, where headlines are no longer defined by goals and stars but by fiery statements, cross-border threats, and the potential for the tournament to become a global political battleground.