Political tensions are overshadowing the 2026 World Cup. President Donald Trump has issued trade threats against England and several European allies. The dispute began because the President wants the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark. England and other nations have publicly opposed this plan.
In response, the U.S. plans to place a 10% tax, or tariff, on goods from the United Kingdom starting February 1, 2026. This tax is set to jump to 25% on June 1, right before the tournament starts. The President says these taxes will stay until a deal for Greenland is signed.
England is scheduled to play its opening matches on American soil. However, the team is now caught in this political storm. Some British leaders are even calling for a total boycott of the World Cup. They believe skipping the tournament would send a strong message against these economic pressures.
These events have caused many to wonder if the U.S. can still be a welcoming host. Critics argue that using a world sporting event for political leverage hurts the spirit of the game. Previously, concerns had already been raised about travel bans and immigration rules for visiting fans.
Surprisingly, the football organization FIFA still supports the President. They recently gave him a Peace Prize for his work toward global unity. As the summer approaches, fans are left wondering if the “beautiful game” can survive this high-stakes political battle.