Why the economics makes this the craziest world cup ever
Key takeaways
- Faisal Islam Economics editor BBCFootball World Cups are rarely completely politics-free but never has the beautiful game navigated a geopolitical high-wire act of this kind.
- Add to that the quite astonishing coincidence of the US, Canada and Mexico, the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, being in the midst of an epic trade war.
- Donald Trump is extremely focused on the tournament, its sponsors and the impact from his return to the White House last year.
Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.
Faisal Islam Economics editor BBCFootball World Cups are rarely completely politics-free but never has the beautiful game navigated a geopolitical high-wire act of this kind. The main host is at war with a participant, whose team must commute in on match days from another country.
Add to that the quite astonishing coincidence of the US, Canada and Mexico, the three co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, being in the midst of an epic trade war. Indeed, in the period in between the opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca, and the final in New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, the three will be renegotiating the USMCA, the North American free trade area.
Donald Trump is extremely focused on the tournament, its sponsors and the impact from his return to the White House last year. The US president has even joked that his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election had the great benefit of allowing him to return for this World Cup, and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.