Even supporters from countries not subject to travel bans have faced uncertainty.

BBC Scotland reported cases involving Scottish supporters who had already received travel authorisation through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process, only to see their approvals revoked days before departure.

The Speirs brothers from Kirkcaldy applied for their ESTAs in December and were initially approved. Months later, shortly before travelling to support Scotland at their first World Cup since 1998, their status reportedly changed to “travel not authorised.”

For many supporters, the financial burden has compounded the bureaucratic hurdles. While ESTA approvals cost around $40, supporters requiring standard visitor visas face fees of approximately $185 before even considering flights, accommodation or match tickets.

A Tournament Built on Inclusion

When FIFA awarded hosting rights to the United States, Canada and Mexico, the decision was presented as a celebration of football’s global reach.

The expanded 48-team format was designed to make the World Cup more inclusive by allowing more nations to participate. Countries such as Haiti, Uzbekistan and Curacao qualified for the tournament for the first time, creating opportunities for new footballing communities to experience the sport’s biggest stage.

Yet critics argue that while qualification has become more accessible, physically attending the tournament has become increasingly difficult for many of the very people FIFA claims to be including.

Visa Issues Create Unprecedented Challenges

One of the biggest controversies surrounding the tournament has been access to the United States.

Iran has faced some of the most significant logistical difficulties. State media reported that at least 15 Iranian officials and team staff members, described as being “integral” to the national team’s campaign, were denied visas.

While US authorities maintained that all “necessary” support staff had been granted entry, the Iranian Football Federation alleged that authorities had also revoked portions of Iran’s ticket allocation for group-stage matches.

“We are upset about this behaviour,” Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei said. “It has certainly never happened before.”

The complications forced Iran to establish its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than inside the United States. Reports suggested the team could face repeated cross-border travel for group-stage matches, creating logistical challenges rarely seen at a World Cup.

For many observers, the situation represented a significant departure from FIFA’s long-standing principle that qualified teams should be able to participate without political or administrative obstacles.

Security screenings spark global debate

The treatment of some teams upon arrival in the United States has also generated criticism. According to multiple reports, members of the Senegal national team underwent detailed bag inspections directly on the airport tarmac after landing in San Antonio.

Uzbekistan’s squad reportedly encountered drug-sniffing dogs and extensive security checks upon arriving at their training base in New York. Images and videos quickly spread across social media, prompting strong reactions from supporters.

Critics accused authorities of treating players “like criminals” rather than welcoming them as participants in one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

One social media user questioned whether the treatment was selective, writing: “Did any white teams get treated like this, or is this treatment reserved for Senegal? Bizarre.”

The controversy deepened after reports emerged that Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was detained for seven hours at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, while Iraq’s team photographer was reportedly denied entry following an extensive screening process.

In a separate incident, award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States altogether.

These episodes have intensified concerns that some nations are facing significantly different experiences from others despite all being participants in the same tournament.

The cost of inclusion

While immigration issues have dominated headlines, financial accessibility has become another major point of contention. Ticket prices for many matches reached levels rarely associated with previous World Cups.

Premium tickets for the final were initially priced around $11,000, while FIFA’s dynamic pricing system meant supporters often paid vastly different amounts for identical seats.

As the tournament approached, reports indicated that some remaining final tickets were still being listed for thousands of dollars, with certain premium seats reaching extraordinary prices.

Critics argue that rising ticket costs, expensive travel requirements and hospitality-focused packages have transformed the World Cup from a global football festival into an event increasingly accessible only to wealthier supporters. For many fans, the barriers are no longer merely geographical, they are financial as well.

Can Football Still Unite?

The World Cup has historically provided moments that transcend politics. Fans from rival nations have shared celebrations in fan parks, communities have united behind underdog stories and players from vastly different backgrounds have inspired audiences across the globe.

Those moments still exist at the 2026 tournament. However, the surrounding controversies have created an uncomfortable contrast with FIFA’s messaging around inclusion and unity.

When some supporters struggle to obtain visas, when participating nations face travel complications, and when fans question whether the event remains financially accessible, the idea of the World Cup as football’s universal gathering place inevitably comes under scrutiny.

The bigger question facing FIFA

The central question is not whether football remains capable of uniting people. It clearly does.

The question is whether the structures surrounding the modern World Cup are making that unity harder to achieve. The expansion to 48 teams was intended to make the tournament more global than ever before. Yet for many supporters, journalists and even some participants, access has become more complicated, expensive and uncertain.

As the tournament unfolds across the United States, Canada and Mexico, the football itself may still deliver the drama and joy that have defined World Cups for generations.

But away from the pitch, FIFA faces an uncomfortable challenge: proving that the world’s biggest sporting event remains a force for bringing people together rather than another example of the divisions shaping the modern world.

Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez are credited with being two of boxing’s modern greats, but in the eyes of a shared former sparring partner, Jack Catterall, there is one active fighter who trumps them both as ‘the best he has shared the ring with’.

Last month, Catterall decisioned Shakhram Giyasov to get his hands on the WBA Regular welterweight world title; a win which he hopes will tee up a showdown for a shot at super champion, Rolando Romero.

Catterall, who boasts wins over both Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis, had been preparing for world level far before he arrived, sharing the ring with Mayweather and Canelo in the past.

In 2015, the Chorley operator was brought in as one of many sparring partners for Mayweather ahead of his long-awaited mega-fight with Manny Pacquiao. Then, just days later, Catterall ventured to San Diego to help Canelo prepare for his bout against James Kirkland.

Yet, speaking with Pro Boxing Fans, Catterall claimed to be more impressed by former stablemate Jaron Ennis, whom he expects to halt Xander Zayas when challenging for the unified super-welterweight world titles later this month.

“I would go as far as saying that he is one of… the best fighter that I have sparred or been in the ring with; the speed, the power, the timing, the footwork.

“So, I am excited for that fight. I am going to try and make the trip over there and support him. I think that it is a good night’s work for him.

“I believe [that he will stop Zayas].”

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Ennis established himself as the leading welterweight of the post-Terence Crawford era, unifying the IBF and WBA world titles before moving up to 154lbs in search of further championships.

He faces on Zayas on June 27 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, as Ennis seeks to capture the unified titles.

A top AEW star has shared a major personal update and has received support from many pro-wrestling stars, including Chelsea Green and Britt Baker.

The star in question, Deonna Purrazzo, has competed under an All Elite Wrestling contract since January 2024. Although her tenure began brightly and includes a run in ROH as Women’s Pure Champion (still ongoing), the Virtuosa’s TV time in AEW has declined sharply since mid-2025. As Purrazzo continues to thrive in Ring of Honor and strives to return to All Elite Wrestling programming, the 32-year-old revealed that she and her husband, Steve Maclin, who was recently released by TNA, put on their own wrestling show.

On Instagram, Purrazzo revealed that having their own show had never been a dream for Maclin and her; instead, they used the opportunity to raise funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The event took place at the Rahway Rec Center in New Jersey. Her post received an outpouring of love from top wrestling stars, including WWE’s Chelsea Green, Mickie James, and AEW’s Britt Baker and Shane Taylor.

Check out the stars’ reactions below:

AEW star Deonna Purrazzo’s emotional message to husband Steve Maclin following TNA release

Steve Maclin’s departure from TNA after a five-year tenure was one of the bigger developments in pro wrestling this month. Some time after Maclin’s release, Deonna Purrazzo took to X and shared a heartwarming message for her husband, calling him the epitome of wrestling before declaring her love for him.

“You are the epitome of a professional. You gave more blood than anyone I’ve ever seen. You have more heart than anyone I know. And you made the most of every minute you were given. This kind of feels like the end of era… but I know it’s the start of something even more magical. I love you,” she wrote.

Her post on X can be viewed here.

Steve Maclin is a respected veteran in professional wrestling. At 39, the former TNA International Champion still has plenty left in his locker, and if rumors are to be believed, Maclin could soon be declared ‘All Elite’.