During the next couple of years, due to the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States, the global political and sports landscape is bound to be subjected to a series of shifts and readjustments. Trump takes office during a time of huge sporting importance for the U.S. over the forthcoming years: within the next years, the country will host three impactful events, namely the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The election of the Republican leader reopened discussions on what to expect from his administration in light of events that place the U.S. at the center of global sports attention.
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Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, wasted no time after Trump was officially declared president, emitting a public message of congratulations. In his Instagram post, Infantino has backed the movement of sports bringing people closer and mentioned that the U.S. will be burdened with hosting events that will attract millions of fans and diversified cultures. But how will the return of Trump to power impact the organizational and tonal facets of these events? A look at some critical points.
2026 World Cup in the U.S. and Trump's Presidency
A highly anticipated event in sports circles is the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by three nations: the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. A shared host nation was symbolic of cooperation by neighboring countries, with an emphasis on healthy international relations. How this event will go down in the context of strict policies by the administration of Trump remains a question. Or will we witness a change in the method of how the organization treats immigration and security problems? Will the spirit of unity among nations reign, or.
Beyond the bigger expectation of sports, the event is, in fact, a true test of diplomacy between the three participating countries, especially regarding the handling of travel for millions of fans, staff, and delegations. Trump's immigration policies, one of the strong talking points of his campaign, could directly affect the accessibility and requirements for the event. That raises a very important question: Just how much will U.S. domestic policy impact the image and experience of an event that, above all, represents diversity?
2025 Club World Cup: Preparation and Expectations
Before the 2026 World Cup, in 2025, the U.S. will already be in the spotlight because the country will host the Club World Cup. This event is one of the first serious sporting obligations for Trump's administration and will become a crucial check of the U.S. ability to hold mega football events. With powerhouse clubs from Brazil in attendance, such as Flamengo, Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Palmeiras, the event promises to be highly attended from Latin America and indeed all other parts of the world. This competition will be a good omen for fans and an organization indicator of things that might well happen during the World Cup a year later.
For Infantino and FIFA, the Club World Cup is all about amplifying the popularity of soccer in the United States, where, he said, the sport is getting more popular year after year.
2028 Olympics: Los Angeles and Global Expectations
The world would look once again at the United States in the year 2028 when Los Angeles hosts the Olympics. It will be one of the biggest tests in terms of long-term planning and organization; much of what is done in the 2025 and 2026 events will be crucial in preparing for the Olympics. For Trump, this will be an opportunity to seal the U.S. as a global leader in sports organization, though much of this will be pegged on the policies and directions that will be taken during his term.
Just like the World Cup, the Olympics are a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural event that brings people together from literally every part of the world. For a country already embroiled in hot debates on immigration and entry policies, the Olympics will be a tightrope walk between domestic policy and the all-embracing spirit of the Games. If the U.S. can ensure a glitch-free welcome, then the presidency of Trump may well end on a high note, at least as far as international sport is concerned.