World Cup 2026: Humiliating waits for national heroes: the US gets it wrong from the start

Last Updated on 10 June 2026

The World Cup 2026 was always going to be political. Yet few predicted just how chaotic the build-up would become.

US authorities forced Iranian players to exit under pressure. Ticket allocation scandals left fans furious. A Somali referee controversy rocked FIFA’s credibility. Meanwhile, exorbitant ticket prices and a petty water bottle saga piled on further embarrassment.

Consequently, the world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup arrives draped in controversy, all before a single ball is kicked.

National superstars and world champions made to wait: The US welcome problem

World champions do not expect to queue. However, that is precisely what is happening at US entry points. Fabio Cannavaro, a Ballon d’Or winner, a World Cup-lifting captain, recently arrived in the United States with his Uzbekistan’s entire squad.

Instead of a smooth arrival, though, he was met with lengthy security protocols and prolonged check-in procedures. Furthermore, his squad reportedly faced the same grinding wait as any ordinary traveller and he was quite vocal about the hypocrisy, according to Yahoo.

Cannavaro is not alone. Moreover, multiple national team delegations have complained about the sluggish, bureaucratic welcome they have received. Senegalese team was made to go through strict security checks, undergoing lengthy and tight inspections on the tarmac.

Teams arrive fatigued from long-haul travel. Yet, instead of swift accreditation and seamless transfer to training bases, they face hours of processing. US authorities, evidently, have not adjusted protocols to account for World Cup delegations.

While, the humiliation is a given, national squads are losing valuable preparation time due to such measures. Time that could cost them dearly once the tournament begins.

Controversies continue to cloud World Cup 2026 before it begins: Infantino to blame

The entry fiasco, unfortunately, is just one thread in a much uglier tapestry. Earlier, FIFA’s handling of Iran drew sharp condemnation. Players faced political pressure, and their tournament participation became a diplomatic flashpoint.

Additionally, the Somali referee scandal exposed troubling questions about FIFA’s vetting processes. Ticket prices, meanwhile, soared to levels that priced out ordinary fans entirely. And it’s not much of a stretch to say that the man central to blame is Gianni Infantino, himself.

The FIFA President is very cosy with President Donald Trump and it’s hardly a surprise to see that FIFA has suddenly become very powerless when it comes to such decisions. It’s unfortunate to see a tournament that usually brings so much excitement becoming a product of greed, suspicion and frustration.

The football will eventually take centre stage. But right now, it is struggling to be heard above the noise.