Visa Restrictions for Some Teams and Hotel Shortfalls Reported Ahead of 2026 World Cup

U.S. soil. Axios reported that close to 80 percent of hotel owners and operators in host markets said bookings were below initial forecasts, citing the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

The association linked the shortfall to perceptions abroad that visas would be delayed and to higher fuel prices. U.S. cities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was held and questioned for hours at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Reuters reported, citing an Iraqi sporting official.

During processing at O'Hare, two travelers with the Iraqi team underwent additional inspection, a CBP spokesperson told Axios.

Iran's players were granted visas, but staff members of the Iranian team were turned away due to visa restrictions on Iranian nationals. Sports reporters have also faced visa restrictions, according to a letter from the International Sports Press Association. Workers at a Los Angeles-area World Cup venue authorized a strike in part over immigration enforcement concerns.

Operators at the Los Angeles-area venue reached a deal with the workers' union. The union retains the contractual right to walk off the job if federal immigration enforcement threatens worker safety during a match. The Trump administration waived its up to $15,000 visa bonds for certain individuals attending the World Cup.

Several DHS components, including ICE and its Homeland Security Investigations team, are coordinating on securing the tournament. "President Trump is focused on ensuring that this is not only an incredible experience for all fans and visitors, but also the safest and most secure in history — and no amount of ridiculous scare tactics driven by liberal activist groups and the left-wing media will change that," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement provided to Axios.