The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first men’s edition of the global tournament to be co-hosted across three separate nations, faces an unprecedented set of political and logistical challenges, as simmering tensions between the United States, Canada, and Mexico threaten to overshadow the historic continental sporting event. When the three national leaders joined FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the official tournament draw in Washington D.C. last December, the gathering was marked by friendly photo opportunities and public displays of unity. But behind the polished optics, long-running frictions over trade, immigration, security, and geopolitical strategy have created a fragile foundation for the 39-day cross-border competition, which will spread across 16 host cities spanning the entire North American continent.
Uneasy neighbours: Can three World Cup hosts put differences aside for a month?
