FIFA World Cup 2026

[ramAnag]

I think you're letting your deeply held political/world views get to you a bit rA, since you first started expressing doubts about visiting (supported by others here) I've visited USA twice, yes Southern states, yes surrounded by overt or covert MAGAs / Rednecks, yes to 'events' (OK not world cup level) and what lovely folk they are. The only thing stopping me/us spending more time there is the tipping culture, which I just can't get over. We are visiting twice next year, and by the way there were no border checks for social media transgressions either. Like London, which has been the subject of discussion on here in the past, and where coincidentally a significant minority despise the leader, there are good bits and bad bits, we just stick to the good bits and have a ball. Go and enjoy it, especially as you have folk there

Again you misconstrue, AF. Whether deliberately or not I honestly don?t know.

I love the place. Think it?s a great country and have probably visited fifteen times, usually for 3-4 weeks - over the last 18 years, not always just to relatives, but to a variety of locations, from New England to California and Arizona to Florida.
Love the landscapes, usually love the people, although some of the Floridians I found ?bonkers?, love much of the lifestyle and take little notice of what you term the ?tipping culture?.

Having said that, we?re not going this year, but it?s not about me - or you. The question may be whether the Trump administration actually deserves to host such a celebration of football when he has acted so insultingly to so many participants and whether it will be a safe destination for, potentially, tens of thousands of fans. I also wonder if the threat to remove such a tournament from the U.S. could help bring such a narcissist to what little remains of his senses.

In a world where a Radio 2 DJ loses his job (and reputation) because of an historical ***ual abuse allegation it seems slightly perverse to me that we allow the WC to be hosted by a POTUS who has actually been convicted of ***ual abuse, suspected of much worse and shows apparent total disregard for international law.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Again you misconstrue, AF. Whether deliberately or not I honestly don?t know.

I love the place. Think it?s a great country and have probably visited fifteen times, usually for 3-4 weeks - over the last 18 years, not always just to relatives, but to a variety of locations, from New England to California and Arizona to Florida.
Love the landscapes, usually love the people, although some of the Floridians I found ?bonkers?, love much of the lifestyle and take little notice of what you term the ?tipping culture?.

Having said that, we?re not going this year, but it?s not about me - or you. The question may be whether the Trump administration actually deserves to host such a celebration of football when he has acted so insultingly to so many participants and whether it will be a safe destination for, potentially, tens of thousands of fans. I also wonder if the threat to remove such a tournament from the U.S. could help bring such a narcissist to what little remains of his senses.

In a world where a Radio 2 DJ loses his job (and reputation) because of an historical ***ual abuse allegation it seems slightly perverse to me that we allow the WC to be hosted by a POTUS who has actually been convicted of ***ual abuse, suspected of much worse and shows apparent total disregard for international law.

I personally believe that sport should not be used as a political weapon - its better than that. I respect your view whilst noting that you seek to politicise anything remotely related to those politicians you dislike.

Sadly Trump himself sought to associate himself with the World Cup with his ridiculous inclusion in the draw and the peace prize, but essentially the World Cup should be used to bring the world together - not to create more resentment. If Qatar as a host location was not banned for its appalling record on human rights and modern slavery.... why USA?

Boycotting it should be a personal decision - if you dont want to go due to your deeply held anti Trump feelings, thats fine, but dont try to impose your own invective on others. Thats a trifle totalitarian for a liberal!

As for your last paragraph, I assume this was another one of your jokes. Bob Mills (who I assume you allude to) is innocent until proved guilty, as is Trump on most of the allegations. I know not enought of either case to form a judgement and I doubt you do either. If you had said that these allegations were such as to call for the impeachment of Trump (and I wouldnt altogether disagree with that) then fine - that equates to loss of job, but to say Bob Mills cant host the world cup in his back garden is a bit of a stretch.

[ramAnag]

I personally believe that sport should not be used as a political weapon - its better than that. I respect your view whilst noting that you seek to politicise anything remotely related to those politicians you dislike.

Sadly Trump himself sought to associate himself with the World Cup with his ridiculous inclusion in the draw and the peace prize, but essentially the World Cup should be used to bring the world together - not to create more resentment. If Qatar as a host location was not banned for its appalling record on human rights and modern slavery.... why USA?

Boycotting it should be a personal decision - if you dont want to go due to your deeply held anti Trump feelings, thats fine, but dont try to impose your own invective on others. Thats a trifle totalitarian for a liberal!

As for your last paragraph, I assume this was another one of your jokes. Bob Mills (who I assume you allude to) is innocent until proved guilty, as is Trump on most of the allegations. I know not enought of either case to form a judgement and I doubt you do either. If you had said that these allegations were such as to call for the impeachment of Trump (and I wouldnt altogether disagree with that) then fine - that equates to loss of job, but to say Bob Mills cant host the world cup in his back garden is a bit of a stretch.

1. I think both the cricket and rugby boycotts of long ago and the role they played in ending apartheid in South Africa would suggest otherwise. I’m struggling to understand how I can ‘politicise’ politicians I dislike. They’re politicians and, by definition, are therefore already politicised.

2. Agree with the first bit and I also opposed Qatar being chosen however I think it was chosen 14 years before the event. Trump’s behaviour and the worldwide chaos and suffering his actions are causing is happening now.

3. Silly point. I’m questioning whether the U.S. under a Trump administration remains an appropriate venue, not trying to stop people going or ‘impose’ my view. It’s an opinion, a point of view…nothing more. Thought that’s what forums are for.

4. No, not a joke and its Scott Mills btw. You’re right, I’ve absolutely no idea about his alleged wrong doing, know nothing about the bloke and rarely listen to R2. If he’s done wrong he deserves what’s coming, it was just an observation about the double standards we operate under. A Radio 2 employee, rightly or wrongly, gets sacked for an alleged, but currently unproven, *** crime. Trump in comparison is lauded by FIFA when he has actually been found guilty of a *** crime and is linked with many others. No idea what your closing comment means.

[Geoff Parkstone]

1. I think both the cricket and rugby boycotts of long ago and the role they played in ending apartheid in South Africa would suggest otherwise. I?m struggling to understand how I can ?politicise? politicians I dislike. They?re politicians and, by definition, are therefore already politicised.

2. Agree with the first bit and I also opposed Qatar being chosen however I think it was chosen 14 years before the event. Trump?s behaviour and the worldwide chaos and suffering his actions are causing is happening now.

3. Silly point. I?m questioning whether the U.S. under a Trump administration remains an appropriate venue, not trying to stop people going or ?impose? my view. It?s an opinion, a point of view?nothing more. Thought that?s what forums are for.

4. No, not a joke and its Scott Mills btw. You?re right, I?ve absolutely no idea about his alleged wrong doing, know nothing about the bloke and rarely listen to R2. If he?s done wrong he deserves what?s coming, it was just an observation about the double standards we operate under. A Radio 2 employee, rightly or wrongly, gets sacked for an alleged, but currently unproven, *** crime. Trump in comparison is lauded by FIFA when he has actually been found guilty of a *** crime and is linked with many others. No idea what your closing comment means.

Re 1 you have a point that the sporting boycott of South Africa likely did help end apartheid in some wayt, but the economic sanctions were much more central, also that was a ban on sporting connections with sports that the South Africans loved. In the USA "soccer" is still a minority sport - for men at least - and I dont think it would have the same impact. Banning the USA from other global sports events would be more impactful - eg Olympics (oh bugger they are hosting that too). Difficulty is that the major sports in the USA are primarily not significantly globalised.

2. The World Cup is shared by Canada and Mexiuco so boycotting it would "punish two innocent countries" neither of whom has the infrastructure to take over full hosting. But the key to me is that the US element of hosting was awarded to the USA, not to Trump and likely to the USA when Trump was not in power. To punish an entire nation and stifle the aims to develop the sport in USA more seems to be wrong as a way of showing global disquiet at the actions of a loose cannon who is not representative of the whole country, but sadly is their appointed representative.

3. We can agree to differ. The individual should have the right to boycott the tournament, but advocating its cancellation is quite different and I for one would not support that perspective

4, Apologies to the wrong Mills - Id never heard of Scott either. However I dont think the allusion is relevant: Mills just seems to be a victim of more BBC hand wringing (whether meritted or not). Trump as I said should face impeachment if found guilty: his situation is way more serious in the overall scheme of life and thats said without throwing the Iranian attacks into the equation.

RP - I wasnt trying to wind rA up and by his asserton rA wasnt wound up by it. Seems like the only one who was, was you. As they say - if you dont like it, dont read it. I find some of your continual personally insulting comments about Trump/orange/Fanta etc to be childish, but I dont whinge. Get over it.

[swaledale]

Re 1 you have a point that the sporting boycott of South Africa likely did help end apartheid in some wayt, but the economic sanctions were much more central, also that was a ban on sporting connections with sports that the South Africans loved. In the USA "soccer" is still a minority sport - for men at least - and I dont think it would have the same impact. Banning the USA from other global sports events would be more impactful - eg Olympics (oh bugger they are hosting that too). Difficulty is that the major sports in the USA are primarily not significantly globalised.

2. The World Cup is shared by Canada and Mexiuco so boycotting it would "punish two innocent countries" neither of whom has the infrastructure to take over full hosting. But the key to me is that the US element of hosting was awarded to the USA, not to Trump and likely to the USA when Trump was not in power. To punish an entire nation and stifle the aims to develop the sport in USA more seems to be wrong as a way of showing global disquiet at the actions of a loose cannon who is not representative of the whole country, but sadly is their appointed representative.

3. We can agree to differ. The individual should have the right to boycott the tournament, but advocating its cancellation is quite different and I for one would not support that perspective

4, Apologies to the wrong Mills - Id never heard of Scott either. However I dont think the allusion is relevant: Mills just seems to be a victim of more BBC hand wringing (whether meritted or not). Trump as I said should face impeachment if found guilty: his situation is way more serious in the overall scheme of life and thats said without throwing the Iranian attacks into the equation.

RP - I wasnt trying to wind rA up and by his asserton rA wasnt wound up by it. Seems like the only one who was, was you. As they say - if you dont like it, dont read it. I find some of your continual personally insulting comments about Trump/orange/Fanta etc to be childish, but I dont whinge. Get over it.

To be fair to RP, unless your a politician who has to try and act professionally when dealing with Trump's childish and bat **** crazy comments and behaviour, making childish insults about the bloke and his inherently unqualified and utterly stupid accolites is perfectly reasonable. Not really sure why such insults would either offend you or why treating the manchild with the lack of respect he deserves would irk you?

[ramAnag]

Re 1 you have a point that the sporting boycott of South Africa likely did help end apartheid in some wayt, but the economic sanctions were much more central, also that was a ban on sporting connections with sports that the South Africans loved. In the USA "soccer" is still a minority sport - for men at least - and I dont think it would have the same impact. Banning the USA from other global sports events would be more impactful - eg Olympics (oh bugger they are hosting that too). Difficulty is that the major sports in the USA are primarily not significantly globalised.

2. The World Cup is shared by Canada and Mexiuco so boycotting it would "punish two innocent countries" neither of whom has the infrastructure to take over full hosting. But the key to me is that the US element of hosting was awarded to the USA, not to Trump and likely to the USA when Trump was not in power. To punish an entire nation and stifle the aims to develop the sport in USA more seems to be wrong as a way of showing global disquiet at the actions of a loose cannon who is not representative of the whole country, but sadly is their appointed representative.

3. We can agree to differ. The individual should have the right to boycott the tournament, but advocating its cancellation is quite different and I for one would not support that perspective

4, Apologies to the wrong Mills - Id never heard of Scott either. However I dont think the allusion is relevant: Mills just seems to be a victim of more BBC hand wringing (whether meritted or not). Trump as I said should face impeachment if found guilty: his situation is way more serious in the overall scheme of life and thats said without throwing the Iranian attacks into the equation.

RP - I wasnt trying to wind rA up and by his asserton rA wasnt wound up by it. Seems like the only one who was, was you. As they say - if you dont like it, dont read it. I find some of your continual personally insulting comments about Trump/orange/Fanta etc to be childish, but I dont whinge. Get over it.

Of course economic sanctions are more effective, but that doesn’t mean that that the ‘use’ of sport isn’t significant as shown with South Africa and, more recently, Russia…amongst others.

I accept your alternative view. I don’t agree but in this instance your view is as valid as mine. That’s actually what forums are for but neither of us are trying to ‘impose’ our view on others.

Again you just disagree. I wasn’t actually ‘advocating’ a boycott. I honestly don’t know. I just feel very uncomfortable having a ‘celebration’ of world football being ‘hosted’ by someone who seems to be doing his best to bring about the ruination of the world.

It was just an example of double standards. A juxtaposition of how, rightly or wrongly, a mere radio presenter can be treated so severely alongside the most powerful (?) person in the world who repeatedly escapes with seeming impunity.

My point wasn’t disagreeing with RP. You do, imo, constantly aim to ‘wind me up’. You’re a bit like the forum stalker where I - and at least one other poster - are concerned. It’s just that you don’t succeed as, beyond replying, I take little notice and treat your dafter comments with the proverbial pinch of salt.

[Andy_Faber]

Again you misconstrue, AF. Whether deliberately or not I honestly don?t know.

I love the place. Think it?s a great country and have probably visited fifteen times, usually for 3-4 weeks - over the last 18 years, not always just to relatives, but to a variety of locations, from New England to California and Arizona to Florida.
Love the landscapes, usually love the people, although some of the Floridians I found ?bonkers?, love much of the lifestyle and take little notice of what you term the ?tipping culture?.

Having said that, we?re not going this year, but it?s not about me - or you. The question may be whether the Trump administration actually deserves to host such a celebration of football when he has acted so insultingly to so many participants and whether it will be a safe destination for, potentially, tens of thousands of fans. I also wonder if the threat to remove such a tournament from the U.S. could help bring such a narcissist to what little remains of his senses.

In a world where a Radio 2 DJ loses his job (and reputation) because of an historical ***ual abuse allegation it seems slightly perverse to me that we allow the WC to be hosted by a POTUS who has actually been convicted of ***ual abuse, suspected of much worse and shows apparent total disregard for international law.

I did misconstrue your somewhat ambiguous comment 'I'm beginning to wonder if we should even bother going' as referring to you personally rather than the 1england Mens Football Team. As for your various suggestions, you are in a dream world I'm afraid, and I doubt that you and the other indignant ones on here and elsewhere have enough courage in your convictions not to watch any USA-hosted games.

Your last paragraph is whataboutery

[ramAnag]

I did misconstrue your somewhat ambiguous comment 'I'm beginning to wonder if we should even bother going' as referring to you personally rather than the 1england Mens Football Team. As for your various suggestions, you are in a dream world I'm afraid, and I doubt that you and the other indignant ones on here and elsewhere have enough courage in your convictions not to watch any USA-hosted games.

Your last paragraph is whataboutery

Fair enough.

Hardly a ‘dream world’. I think you’re probably right, it will go ahead - providing WW3 hasn’t actually been started - and I probably will watch U.S. hosted games but it does seem to be one rule for some (Russia) and another for Mr. Trump.

Whataboutery? Probably guilty as charged, but if you don’t recognise the double standards referred to what does that make you guilty of….Headinthesandery perhaps?

[swaledale]

I did misconstrue your somewhat ambiguous comment 'I'm beginning to wonder if we should even bother going' as referring to you personally rather than the 1england Mens Football Team. As for your various suggestions, you are in a dream world I'm afraid, and I doubt that you and the other indignant ones on here and elsewhere have enough courage in your convictions not to watch any USA-hosted games.

Your last paragraph is whataboutery

Well, I can confirm that I didn't watch one world cup game in Qatar, I'm sure my not doing that didn't change a thing, it was partly on principle and partly becuase I have not watched England games either live or on TV for about a decade. I did make an exception for the Euro Final v Italy, largely because I was invited to watch at a friends house, but the failure to take the best chance of winning a trophy, through Southgate's excessive caution and tactical incompetence further reinforced my view it wasn't worth watching England.

I shall not be watching the World Cup this year, unless I'm in a similar situation. I won't be travelling to the US until Trump's term ends, Thats no hardship, as I've travelled there extensively and have virtually cut out all long haul flights over the past 8 years, indeed I rarely fly these days.

But I concur with your view, go if you want to, unless your someone who has been very vocal and critical and insulting about Trump on social media, its doutful that you will have any issues.

Though it might be wise to ensure you have completed all ESTA and other documentation accurately and truthfully and you have all the necessary documents and meet all other requirements. There are well documented cases of people being detained by ICE for weeks and a friend of mine spent 3 days at LAX being interrogated before being admitted, so there is always a chance.

If the Iran war continues, you might find the air fares rather pricey though!

[Andy_Faber]

Well, I can confirm that I didn't watch one world cup game in Qatar, I'm sure my not doing that didn't change a thing, it was partly on principle and partly becuase I have not watched England games either live or on TV for about a decade. I did make an exception for the Euro Final v Italy, largely because I was invited to watch at a friends house, but the failure to take the best chance of winning a trophy, through Southgate's excessive caution and tactical incompetence further reinforced my view it wasn't worth watching England.

I shall not be watching the World Cup this year, unless I'm in a similar situation. I won't be travelling to the US until Trump's term ends, Thats no hardship, as I've travelled there extensively and have virtually cut out all long haul flights over the past 8 years, indeed I rarely fly these days.

But I concur with your view, go if you want to, unless your someone who has been very vocal and critical and insulting about Trump on social media, its doutful that you will have any issues.

Though it might be wise to ensure you have completed all ESTA and other documentation accurately and truthfully and you have all the necessary documents and meet all other requirements. There are well documented cases of people being detained by ICE for weeks and a friend of mine spent 3 days at LAX being interrogated before being admitted, so there is always a chance.

If the Iran war continues, you might find the air fares rather pricey though!

All my major flights and holidays are paid up to 2028 but thanks

I'm familiar with esta etc but almost fell foul of US Immigration a few years ago when I was asked to offer my right hand into a scanner for biometrics, only for Mrs F, normally totally on point when travelling, repeatedly prevented me doing so, bizarely thinking I was offering my left hand. I could feel the beads of panic-induced sweat beading up on my bonce and it felt like the whole ten seconds of misunderstanding lasted hours. fortunately the young lady behind the glass found it mildly amusing. She's probably been sacked for failing to meet targets