NYON: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin warned the United States that President Donald Trump’s controversial travel restrictions could torpedo any hopes of hosting the 2026 World Cup.

Measures that prevent players, fans or journalists from entering the US would count against a bid to host football’s showpiece, The New York Times quoted Ceferin as saying in an interview at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland.

“It [immigration policy] will be part of the evaluation and I am sure it will not help the United States to get the World Cup,” Ceferin said.

“If players cannot come because of political decisions, or populist decisions, then the World Cup cannot be played there. It is true for the United States, but also for all the other countries that would like to organise a World Cup.

“It is the same for the fans, and the journalists, of course. It is the World Cup. They should be able to attend the event, whatever their nationality is.

“But let’s hope that it does not happen.”

The United States is a favourite to land the 2026 tournament, either on its own or as part of a joint North American bid with Mexico and Canada.

A US court suspended a travel ban targeting nationals from seven mainly Muslim countries as well as all refugees, but Trump has vowed to bring it back.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams in an expanded tournament.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.