World Cup fans gather across North America

Thousands of fans filled downtown Dallas streets the day before Croatia played England, with participants traveling from Croatia as well as from diaspora communities in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Local residents also joined the event wearing team colors.

Similar gatherings have taken place in other host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Some local supporters have adopted teams whose fans could not obtain U.S. visas, including supporters of teams from Haiti, Senegal, and Iran.

Travel restrictions for some teams The Iranian national team has faced limits on movement inside the United States. Players and staff travel from a training base in Tijuana, Mexico, to matches in the U.S. within 24 hours of each fixture and must depart immediately afterward.

A team coach stated after the match against New Zealand in Los Angeles that the squad felt the most restricted of any at the tournament. The executive director of the White House task force for the tournament said the team would leave after its second game in Los Angeles, with possible review for the third game in Seattle.

Immigration policy context U.S. immigration enforcement has increased in the months before the tournament, including expanded operations by ICE agents. Some fans and officials have been denied visas, and separate talks continue on ending the conflict involving Iran.

A non-partisan research institute director in Dallas said the organization supports an immigration system that balances economic needs with security and human rights. She noted that immigrants have long contributed to Texas communities and the state economy.