Some believe that, depending on Trump’s next moves, the situation could become harder for sports bodies to navigate.
“Fifa and the IOC could be heading towards one almighty headache,” according to John Zerafa, a veteran advisor to countries and cities wanting to host major sports events.
“Both organisations’ charters emphasise peace, respect for sovereignty, and non-discrimination.
“In Russia’s case, that led to bans and restrictions on athletes and teams. If, in a worst-case scenario, the US were to use force against Greenland – a Nato ally’s territory – would those same principles apply? If Denmark qualifies via the play-offs, would it boycott the World Cup? Would European or Nato leaders refuse to attend US-hosted events?
“This isn’t just geopolitics. It’s a looming stress-test for sporting institutions that pride themselves on neutrality, yet repeatedly find themselves forced to take political positions when international law and conflict collide with global competition.”
Trump’s tougher immigration policies could also have an impact on the World Cup, which begins on 11 June.
Fifa and US authorities have promised a welcoming and unifying tournament, but there are now four competing countries – Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast – whose fans face full or partial travel bans, with the White House referencing a need to manage security threats. For other fans, a programme designed to shorten wait times for interviews for visitor visas for those with tickets has been brought in.
However the White House’s World Cup Taskforce has not ruled out Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, external targeting undocumented immigrants at World Cup venues.
Meanwhile, domestic tensions in the US have intensified after Renee Good, 37, was shot dead by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last week, triggering large protests in the city.
The European Democratic Party (EDP) references the incident in a letter it sent to European authorities on Wednesday, saying it is a “significant indicator of the current operational climate and of the level of discretion exercised in the use of force by federal authorities, with potential implications for perceptions of safety and for the overall guarantees provided during an event of global scale.”
The party also warns of “growing concerns over legal and administrative uncertainty, including the risk of non-transparent or discretionary visa decisions and border controls, as well as potentially invasive practices involving personal data and online activity”, which it claims “may translate into concrete risks for European citizens…”
The party says it may ask national football federations to consider pulling out of the tournament if safety guarantees are not forthcoming.
As Fifa’s biggest-ever tournament approaches it will be fascinating to see what further impact US policies at home and abroad have on ticket sales, collaboration between the co-hosts on issues such as security, and whether sports bodies feel they need to do more to navigate a complicated geopolitical landscape.
