Immigration Policies

The successful joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 was widely welcomed in international diplomatic circles, regarded as an exceptional achievement in cross-border sports diplomacy. Through the "WE ARE 26" slogan, FIFA and the host countries sought to present an image of regional cooperation and shared cohesion, promoting the idea that the soft power of sport could prevail over complex geopolitical differences.     Yet by the summer of 2026, these promises had collided with a completely different political reality. Rather than reflecting unity, seamless movement, and open borders, preparations for this major event revealed deep divisions and strict security measures across North America. As a result, the World Cup shifted from being an instrument of regional integration to a magnifying lens exposing the sharp political contradictions that shape the domestic and foreign policies of the host countries.