Thousands of fans have withdrawn ticket applications for the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid rising concerns about US foreign policy and domestic security issues. Social media campaigns and political motions urge a boycott, prompting FIFA to hold an emergency meeting. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, faces potential disruptions as it approaches its June 11 start date.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to feature 48 teams and 104 matches from June 11 to July 19, is encountering significant backlash due to the political climate in the United States. Reports indicate that approximately 16,800 fans canceled or withdrew their ticket applications over the January 11-13 weekend, primarily during the recently concluded Random Selection Draw phase. These withdrawals, which do not involve refunds for sold tickets per FIFA policy, stem from fears over safety, human rights, and international tensions under President Donald Trump's administration.
Key triggers include the US seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a raid on Caracas earlier this month, which 23 cross-party UK MPs have condemned as a violation of international law. The MPs, from Labour, Lib Dems, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru, signed a parliamentary motion calling on FIFA to consider expelling the US from the tournament until it shows compliance with global norms. They cited additional US threats toward Colombia, Mexico, Greenland, Iran, and others, including plans for military actions and control over Venezuelan oil. "It's an invasion of a sovereign nation and the kidnap of a president in Venezuela," said MP Brian Leishman, drawing parallels to FIFA's 2022 ban on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Domestically, the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Good, 37, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week has intensified protests and safety concerns. Travel bans affecting fans from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran, Haiti, and others further complicate attendance. Social media hashtags like #BoycottWorldCup and the website BoycottUSA2026.org have mobilized supporters, with Lebanese diplomat Mohamad Safa announcing his cancellation, stating, "ICE can decide I’m a gang member and lock me up in prison for a year without charges." A petition on Action Network, signed by over 3,240 people, urges FIFA and the IOC to ban the US and Israel from international events.
In response, FIFA has convened an emergency meeting with senior officials, member associations, and organizers to address declining applications and fan unease. Despite receiving 150 million ticket requests, the body estimates 6-7 million sales but insists overall figures remain stable. Earlier, in December 2025, FIFA awarded Trump its inaugural Peace Prize for ceasefire efforts, a decision now under scrutiny amid these developments. As the tournament nears, with 78 matches in the US, questions persist about its unifying potential versus geopolitical strains.
