Columnist says U.S. already lost 2026 World Cup over Trump policies

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, with Canada, the United States and Mexico hosting the 48-team tournament.

One match has been played so far. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday afternoon. One hundred three matches remain.

USA Today columnist Nancy Armour wrote this week that the United States has already lost the tournament. She said the country has shown itself to be "a hateful and greedy nation" because of its immigration policies and ticket prices.

"The U.S. men's national team could make a historically deep run and the tournament could be filled with wondrous goals and compelling games," Armour wrote. "It will not change the fact that we have shown ourselves to be a hateful and greedy nation, one where leaders are only willing to welcome a world as they want to see it rather than as it exists, and the love of the game is exploited for top dollar."

Armour said the treatment of the Iranian national team has been "shameful" and criticized the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, who was reportedly linked to terrorist groups. She called the reasons for the denial "dubious" and said the United States should act as a World Cup host, not a "World Cup bouncer."

President Trump said Wednesday that the administration is "working very closely to make sure the right people come into our country." Armour cited the remark as evidence of the country's failure as host.

Armour also pointed to high ticket prices for matches, including $6,000 seats for the final at MetLife Stadium. FIFA sets ticket prices, not the U.S. government.

The column quotes New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who called the prices "absurd." Armour had criticized Qatar's human rights record when it hosted the 2022 World Cup, but she compared the United States unfavorably to that tournament's host.

The piece argues that Armour's objections stem from opposition to Trump rather than from the actions of the current host country.