The protocols adopted by the Trump administration might have led to a downturn in ticket purchases for the Club World Cup tournament commencing soon. Mehdi Taremi, a soccer player from Iran, was seen greeting fans upon Iran’s victorious World Cup qualifying match against Qatar. Iran represents the first Asian team to secure a place in the World Cup, however, it finds itself among the 12 nations subjected to a travel ban imposed by President Trump to the United States.
Manny Mizael, a fervent follower of a soccer team located approximately 5,000 miles from him, shifted his life from Brazil to Boston 27 years prior. Mizael’s undiminished enthusiasm for Flamengo, a widely admired soccer team from Brazil, compelled him to facilitate a Flamengo supporters club in Massachusetts. This club accommodates hundreds of spectators during their regular match screenings.
However, this year, the supporter’s club’s WhatsApp groups have illustrated a marked shift in conversation topics. Threads about the Trump administration’s stringent immigration laws were as frequent as discussions about Flamengo’s recent victories on the pitch. As a result of these heightened concerns, a proposed viewing gathering was abandoned in February, as per Mizael.
Concerns over the risks of attracting attention from immigration enforcement led to the decision. The club is predominantly made up of fans living in the United States without formal immigration status. Mizael spoke of the commencement of indiscriminate arrests, ‘We called off the game out of concern for the well-being of many people. People are being plucked off the sidewalks and placed into custody,’ he commented.
The choice to cancel the event provided insights on potential downstream impacts of President Trump’s immigration directives on the upcoming World Cup. Recognized as the premier event among global sports, next year’s World Cup is forecasted to allure an audience of approximately 6.5 million. Predominantly, the majority of these fans will experience the tournament within the United States as a significant proportion of the matches will occur there.
The World Cup is also slated for co-hosting efforts by Canada and Mexico. The immense draw of the World Cup generates significant financial commitments from followers. The allure of such a prestigious event prompts fans to tap into their lifetime savings or delay substantial investments such as properties in order to afford the journey.