Tariff war endangers 2026 World Cup participation

The 2026 World Cup is facing uncertainty as Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico could impact their participation. The tournament, set to begin in June next year, will be co-hosted for the first time by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The final match will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. Trump, who took office in January, is looking to impose a 25 percent tariff on both countries. He believes that these tariffs will boost the U.S. economy, saying, “We're going to take in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs.” Last week, he discussed the potential impact of tariffs on the World Cup with FIFA president Giovanni Infantino, suggesting it could add excitement to the tournament. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a phone call with Trump where he described the conversation as "colourful." Trudeau emphasized the goal of removing the tariffs. In contrast, Trump's chat with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was described as "excellent and respectful." As the tournament approaches, concerns about the impact of the tariffs on World Cup preparations remain. Meanwhile, the England national team is gearing up for their World Cup qualifying matches, starting with a game against Albania this Friday.