WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump draws out the card of United States during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty Images
Here we are at the cusp of March, and already there are World Cup headaches and controversies, just about every time we corner the corner.
Let’s see. There’s the violence in Mexico after the death of powerful drug lord, the lack of money handed by the U.S. government for security at games and events, and Fan Fests being canceled because organizers want to use money for smaller events.
This picture obtained from Iran’s ISNA news agency, shows the rubble and debris covering destroyed vehicle following a strike on a neighborhood of the Iranian capital Tehran on February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, with the Iranian Red Crescent reporting on February 28 evening, that at least 201 people were killed and 747 wounded in the strikes. (Photo by AMIR KHOLOUSI / ISNA / AFP via Getty Images)
ISNA/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. vs. Iran, off the pitch
On Saturday morning, Feb. 28, airstrikes by the United States and Israel in Iran has grabbed major international headlines. Iran’s national team qualified for the 48-team tournament and is scheduled to play its group matches in Inglewood, Calif. against New Zealand (June 15) and Belgium (June 21) and in Seattle, against Egypt (June 26).
There are so many questions that need to be answered. Will the Iran national team be allowed to play in the U.S.? What will the reaction of the rest of the world be? Will some teams want to boycott the tournament?
At a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales on Saturday, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom was asked by reporters at the annual meting of the International Football Association Board in Wales on Saturday, about how the rise in tensions between the U.S. and Iran could affect the World Cup.
“I read the news the same way you did this morning,” he said, according to The Athletic. “We had a meeting [the AGM] today and it would be premature to comment on that in detail, But of course we will monitor the developments around all issues around the world.
“We had a final draw in Washington where all teams participated and of course our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”
Which brings up the subject of the first FIFA Peace Prize, which FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in a controversial decision, awarded to Trump at the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place between June 11 and July 19 featuring 48 teams with matches being played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, the first time the international sporting event will be hosted by three nations. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The question is whether the recipient give back the Peace Prize when he has started a war, after invading and kidnapping the Venezuelan president.
As or early Saturday evening ET, we haven’t heard of any comment from Infantino about it.
In June 2025, President Trump imposed a travel ban for Iranian nationals. There are, however, exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event.”
This episode is far from over.
TOPSHOT – A bus set on fire by organised crime groups in response to an operation in Jalisco to arrest a high-priority security target, burns at one of the main avenues in Zapopan, state of Jalisco, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. Armed civilians blocked several roads in the state of Jalisco, in western Mexico, following an operation by federal forces in the town of Tapalpa, local authorities reported. Jalisco, which will host four matches of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, is home to the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), and has been rocked by several episodes of violence in recent years. (Photo by Ulises Ruiz / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty Images
Mexican violence after drug-cartel leader’s death
On Feb. 22, drug-cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera was killed by Mexican security forces. Afterwards, violence broke out in several cities including Guadalajara, a city that will host the World Cup playoffs on March 26 and 31 and four group-stage games in the competition this summer. The violence led to flight cancellations, roadblocks and the shelter in place order. Several dozen people died in the wake of the Oseguera killing.
Infantino said that FIFA has been in constant contact with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“We monitor the situation, we look at the situation, and things happen in the world,” Infantino said, according to USA TODAY. “We don’t live on the moon; we live in the world. And when things happen, we have to trust the situation, authorities, the state, the police. We have to trust them with all our confidence and support Mexico, support a country that has suffered, that deserves the World Cup to be a party. And it will be a party.”
Infantino had more to say.
“Of course, we are monitoring the situation in Mexico these days, but I want to say from the outset that we have complete confidence in Mexico, in its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and in the authorities, and we are convinced that everything will go as smoothly as possible,” he said in a press conference in Colombia, according to National Public Radio.
“Mexico is a great country, like in every country in the world, things happen; we don’t live on the moon or another planet. That’s why we have governments, police, and authorities who will ensure order and security.”
Beyond Infantino’s soothing words, there are plenty of concerns and worries.
The Portuguese Football Federation, whose national team has a friendly scheduled against Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on March.28, said that it was monitoring developments.
And then there is a game directly affecting the World Cup. Jamaica is scheduled to play New Caledonia in Guadalajara on March 26 in an intercontinental playoff semifinal, with the winner advancing to face Congo for a spot in the competition on March 31.
“The games are at the end of March, so we still have another month to see what happens; but it is making me very nervous, to be honest,” Jamaican Soccer Federation President Michael Ricketts said. “We will be listening out for Concacaf and FIFA to give us instructions (on) whether they are playing the games or whether they are immediately looking for other options.”
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 10: A general view of the Buffalo Bills kicking off to the New England Patriots on September 10, 2006 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated the Bills 19-17. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Security funding in limbo
The 11 World Cup host cities in the United States have complained that they haven’t received their share of $625 million to pay for security in and around games.
That has arisen due to the partial government shutdown and a slowdown in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding.
President Trump signed the $625 million into law last year.
“The $625 million in security funding is essential to executing safety and security measures at the level required for a global event of this scale,” the host committees wrote to White House World Cup Task Force, according to Politico.
For example, town leaders in Foxborough, Mass. have refused to approve an entertainment license for the seven matches at Gillette Stadium.
On Feb. 17, Foxborough’s board has told the Boston Host Committee to come up with the $7.8 million it will cost for security, according to WCVB (Channel 5, ABC). The board said that it would not sign off on the games until it know who will pay for security.
“All we’re asking for is a collaboration that gets us the answer as to who,” said Bill Yunka, vice chairman of the Foxborough Select Board, according to WCVB. “It’s obviously an NFL game on steroids because this is a SEAR 1 event, it’s the equivalent of seven Super Bowls here and 39 days of coverage.”
The Fan Fest, scheduled for Liberty State Park in New Jersey, has been cancelled.
FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey Host Committee
Fan Fest cutbacks
Wait! There is one more headache.
On Feb. 19, the state of New Jersey cancelled those Fan Fests. The state decided to allocate $5 million to support local community fests for fans.
“The Jersey City venue is no longer being utilized,” a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement, according to NBC Channel 4, New York. “Instead, Gov. [Mikie] Sherrill is creating a program to bring the excitement of the World Cup to communities throughout New Jersey.
“The initiative, a partnership between New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the FIFA World Cup 26 New York New Jersey Host Committee, will bring fan experiences to communities across the state “while investing in small businesses, cultural associations, and community nonprofits.”
Said Sherrill in a statement: “New Jersey is the beating heart of the 2026 World Cup, and this initiative makes sure that every New Jerseyan — no matter where they live — can be part of this once-in-a-generation moment. From fan zones to neighborhood watch parties to street fairs, we are investing in the communities and small businesses that make New Jersey extraordinary. The World Cup is coming to our state — and we are going to make sure it belongs to New Jerseyans first.”
Other venues have cutting back on Fan Fests as well.
Pre-World Cup headaches aren’t anything new. There is a history of plenty of controversies emerging months prior to previous tourneys.
The big questions are when they will be solved, and if others will pop up between now and June 11. That’s when Mexico hosts South Africa in the World Cup opener in Estadio Azteca.
Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter’s perspective, will be published this spring.