February 28 – UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says Donald Trump’s immigration policies could potentially work against the United States in their bid to stage the 2026 World Cup.
Ceferin, who is also a vice-president of FIFA, says any move to bar certain nationalities would not look good during the bid process when the US are expected to team up with Mexico or Canada, or both.
“It will be part of the evaluation, and I am sure it will not help the United States to get the World Cup,” Ceferin told the New York Times.
“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.”
Bids for the 2026 tournament must be submitted by December 2018, with the host to be decided in May 2020.
Ceferin also warned that Brexit may make it harder for Britain to stage major finals if there are restrictions on foreign players.
This June Cardiff stages the Champions league final while the semi-finals and final of the 2020 European Championship are set for Wembley.
“If ‘Brexit’ happens, everything changes. But football was played before, and it will be played in the future. Now, with free movement in the European Union, it is much better.”
“Even in 2020, if ‘Brexit’ has happened, then it can be a big problem for fans. That stays firm, and we will speak to the British government, and I am sure the English Football Association will help us.”
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