The US And Mexico Had Very Different Treatments Of International Football Delegations Arriving For The World Cup
Mexico welcomed delegations with mariachi bands and traditional dances, leading people to draw comparisons between the two countries.
The US is facing criticism for its treatment of several football delegations at the 2026 World Cup, particularly those from the Global South, subjecting teams to extensive security checks, with people online comparing the treatment to the welcome other teams are receiving in co-host nation Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted across three countries, the US, Mexico and Canada, with matches beginning on June 11.
Criticism has been mounting towards the US after it placed visa restrictions, banning fans, players and officials, especially those from the Global South, from entering the country for the World Cup.
Criticism grew after a video shared on June 7 showed the Senegalese team undergoing an intense security check, with players being held, scanned and rigorously processed on the airport tarmac before boarding their flight to San Antonio, Texas, went viral.
A second video also showed US security subjecting Uzbekistan’s team, which is competing in its first ever World Cup, to another security check, with dogs sniffing their bags after their bus arrived at their training venue in New York ahead of their friendly match against the Netherlands.
People online said the players appeared to be treated “as criminals,” while the Dutch team was reportedly not subjected to the same checks.
Earlier, the US had denied visas to Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a men’s World Cup, as well as at least 15 Iranian officials and team staff, while Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was reportedly held and questioned for almost seven hours before being allowed in.
The Senegalese football association said that the tarmac check was arranged to avoid the airport terminal and speed up boarding.
However, Uzbekistan has demanded an explanation from the US for the security check.
FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino has defended the US, saying FIFA cannot decide who governments allow into their countries.
The criticism has been sharpened by videos circulating of Mexico welcoming delegations with mariachi bands and traditional dances, leading people to draw comparisons between the two countries.
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Sofia Hou
Sofia Hou
