Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, has spoken out against the United States hosting the next Men’s World Cup, arguing that the country’s visa policies make it an unsuitable host.
Blatter stated that a World Cup should not take place in a nation that does not grant visas to everyone. He described the current visa system in the U.S. as discriminatory, linking it to an “America First” political approach. He said this was sad for football’s social and cultural value.
The former FIFA leader also directed criticism at former President Donald Trump. Blatter claimed that bringing Trump into World Cup affairs is the worst thing that has happened to FIFA.
Beyond the political comments, Blatter raised concerns about the tournament structure. The 2026 World Cup is being hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, Blatter pointed out that 78 out of the 104 matches will be played on U.S. soil. He argued that this unequal distribution is not fair to the partner countries and is not in the interest of developing the sport globally.
Blatter’s Own History
Blatter’s comments come from a figure with a deeply controversial past. He resigned from FIFA in June 2015, just days after being re-elected to a fifth term. His departure came amid rumors that U.S. and Swedish authorities would soon investigate him on charges of fraud and corruption.
His 17-year leadership was marked by constant allegations of wrongdoing. When he stepped down, football fans around the world celebrated the end of an era that had been marred by scandal.
Following Blatter’s exit, Gianni Infantino was elected as the new FIFA president in February 2016. Infantino had previously worked closely with Michel Platini at UEFA. Under the new leadership, FIFA introduced reforms, including term limits for the president and replacing the old executive committee with a new, larger council.