Link: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/26/2026-world-cup-bid-tickets-politics-trump

The original plans for this summer’s tournament could scarcely sound much different than what we seem to have in store

When the bid pitched this as Kamala I (back when Biden was promising there wouldn't be a Biden II), it seemed quite plausible:

The “United 2026 bid” feels like a document yanked from an archaeological dig. Its introduction states that “Canada, Mexico, and the United States have joined together to deliver a United Bid that offers Fifa the power of unity, the promise of certainty, and the potential of extraordinary opportunity”. The three countries promised to showcase “the power of football to meaningfully impact the world through a shared commitment to human rights.” Those were the days of rainbows, unicorns, and a notably less unhinged Trump, then midway through his first term, and whose presence was not anticipated to be a factor by the time the tournament rolled around.