Infantino promises the 'most inclusive and best' FIFA World Cup ever

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FT Desk

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has promised that the 2026 World Cup will be the most "inclusive" tournament in history.

The next edition of the World Cup commences in two weeks and takes place across North America, with the United States, Canada and Mexico the host nations.

The lead-up has been overshadowed by a number of issues such as the ludicrous pricing of match tickets, the war in Iran and safety concerns over fans travelling to the USA due to Donald Trump's deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents around the country.

Infantino has brushed off all these criticisms when asked about them directly and he's on the campaign trail as we approach kick-off in the first match.

"This will be the biggest, the most inclusive, the greatest FIFA World Cup ever," he told the media at an event on Friday.

"Not only three host countries and 16 host cities and millions of people coming and billions of people watching, but in the three host countries, we will have 25 communities, integral part of the World Cup.

"We will be hosting some of the participating teams. And all of these communities and many, many others will embrace the world during the FIFA World Cup starting in two weeks on the 11th of June, ending with the grand final on the 19th of July and of course with somebody lifting this unique and iconic trophy, the FIFA World Cup."

Gianni Infantino says the 2026 World Cup will be the "biggest, most inclusive and greatest" tournament of all time. pic.twitter.com/kKbP7WaBLx

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 29, 2026

Some sections of travelling World Cup fans will be "vulnerable to serious harm" in the United States, according to several civil rights organisations.

More than 120 civil society groups and MLS and NWSL-affiliated fan groups have published a travel advisory document to travelling fans of immigrant backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people and racial and ethnic minority groups warning them of the potential treatment they face in the USA,

The message issues a stark warning to everyone from fans, to players, to the media: "exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan." This call to action stems from the group’s concerns regarding an escalation of violence and authoritarianism under the Donald Trump administration.

There has been violence on the streets of the country after the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers under Trump. Since the beginning of 2026, 18 people have died while in ICE custody and in January, two American citizens - Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti - were shot and killed by ICE agents.

The advisory publication has highlighted six factors of concern:

- The arbitrary denial of entry and risk of detention and/or deportation

- Expanded limitations on travel and entry into the U.S.

- Invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices

- “Violent and unconstitutional” immigration enforcement, including racial profiling and other discrimination

- “Suppression” of speech and protest

-Serious risk of mistreatment while being held in immigration detention facilities.