The 2026 World Cup has been thrown into jeopardy because of Donald Trump’s looming tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The tournament is due to get underway next June and will be co-hosted by three countries for the first time ever.
A total of 16 cities across the USA, Canada and Mexico will stage matches at next year’s World Cup, with the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosting the final. The final is due to be played on Sunday, July 19, with England aiming to reach the showpiece match for the second time in history. The Three Lions tasted their only World Cup success in 1966 but haven’t come close to winning the tournament since.
Trump took office at the White House in January after winning the Presidential election at the start of last November. And he has set about imposing tariffs on a host of countries in a bid to boost the US economy.
Discussing the proposed tariffs last week, the president explained: “We’re going to take in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs, and we’re going to become so rich – you’re not going to know where to spend all that money.”
Trump is planning to hit Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent tariffs but has delayed their introduction twice.
During a conversation with FIFA boss Giovanni Infantino at the White House last Friday, the 78-year-old suggested tariffs would be good for the World Cup. “I think it’s gonna make it more exciting,” said the 78-year-old.
He then exclaimed: “Tension is a good thing.” And he added: “Yeah, I think so. It makes it so much more exciting.”
Former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau had a phone call with Trump on Wednesday, just hours before he was succeeded in office by Mark Carney. And on Thursday, Trudeau insisted the conversation had been “colourful” as he explained that Trump had used disrespectful language. He added: “Our goal remains to get these tariffs, all tariffs removed.”
Trump’s conversation with Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum appeared to fare better, with the latter describing the chat as “excellent and respectful.” But it remains to be seen whether the tensions caused by the impending tariffs disrupt plans for the World Cup.
England are set to get their World Cup qualifying campaign up and running on Friday when they host Albania.
The Three Lions have been drawn alongside Albania, Andorra, Latvia and Serbia in Group K of European Qualifying.
The team, who will be managed by a German for the first time in their history following the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, will host Latvia in their second qualifying match on Monday.