Could Trump Invite Iran’s Khamenei to the World Cup Opening?

With just hours to go before the World Cup kicks off, one can’t help but wonder if a political fantasy could unfold where former President Donald Trump breaks all norms and dares to invite Mojtaba Khamenei, the Iranian leader, or a representative from the Revolutionary Guard, to attend the opening ceremony alongside world leaders. “Trump might just do it!”.

However, setting aside such hopes and dreams, it is evident that this is the “worst-organized version” of the tournament. The selection of the United States, Canada, and Mexico as hosts for the 2026 World Cup raises serious concerns, particularly with the number of participating teams increasing from 32 to 48 for the first time.

Several factors contribute to this poor choice. The rampant crime rates and ease of gun access in the United States create a climate of fear. The recent random shooting incident that injured nine people near England’s team accommodations exemplifies this issue, instilling terror among various national teams participating in the tournament. Such violence does not discriminate between leaders and citizens; even Trump himself faced an assassination attempt in a Washington hotel despite tight security.

Additionally, teams will have to endure long distances while traveling for matches across the three host nations. The extensive travel between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico stretches thousands of kilometers, which is bound to exhaust players.

Another significant concern is the U.S. government’s refusal to grant entry visas to members of certain national teams, including Iranian players due to their ties with the Revolutionary Guard. Some players have faced delays of up to seven hours upon arrival in America. Moreover, fans from various countries have struggled with visa issues; one Iraqi fan was left in tears after being denied entry despite Iraq qualifying for its first World Cup in 34 years.

Does this mean that World Cup matches are subject to security rather than sporting criteria? Why impose such restrictions on fans and players in a country that claims to respect human rights while disregarding those rights during a global event? This level of control has never been witnessed at any previous World Cup.

One must question who decided that hosting matches across three vast countries with significant distances between them was a good idea?

The financial burden on participating teams and fans is another critical factor—traveling between three countries or even within one large nation like the U.S., along with accommodation costs, will be exorbitant.

I have an unsettling feeling that these issues could lead to incomplete matches in America due to potential violence against players or teams—a scenario I hope never materializes.

This brings back memories for us Arabs of Qatar’s legendary organization during the 2022 World Cup, which impressed both friends and foes alike. The safety and hospitality experienced during that tournament were unmatched; both FIFA and fans praised Qatar for its seamless arrangements.

The first real goal scored at Qatar 2022 was not on the field but rather represented peace between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Qatar’s success has set a high standard that makes future organizers feel out of place by comparison.

Will FIFA reconsider its criteria for selecting host nations after all these errors affecting teams and players? Can we avoid having three countries share hosting duties in order to lessen financial burdens on fans?

Despite my criticisms regarding tournament organization, I wish Egypt’s team success as they aim for their first advancement beyond group stages. Millions of Egyptians are rooting for their players, especially Mohamed Salah, who has made waves in America and received a legendary welcome befitting his status as one of Liverpool’s greatest players—a true ambassador for Egypt through his humility and talent.

I also want to mention Omar Marmoush, who is following in Salah’s footsteps and has great potential on the global stage. However, Salah remains unmatched despite my admiration for Marmoush.

I send my best wishes for success to rising star Hamza Abdel Karim as he joins Barcelona—a move expected to create significant ripples in football.

If Egyptian players can overcome initial challenges with an attacking mindset rather than a defensive one, they could surprise many fans with their performance.

Let us not forget our Moroccan brothers who came close to reaching the finals in Qatar—finishing fourth—and broke European and Latin American dominance over top-four finishes.

I also wish our Iraqi brothers well as they strive for good results; I had hoped Palestine would join us so we could hear cheers supporting their cause echoing throughout America—especially since American youth increasingly understand Palestinian issues and support their plight amid changing political sentiments towards Israel.

Apart from politics, I hope all participating Arab teams perform honorably. I predict a final showdown between Spain and France.

Happy World Cup season!

No sympathy for Trump if he disrupts this World Cup like his negotiations with Iran!