By: Osama Sharshar

A few hours separate us from the opening of the World Cup. Could there be a political fantasy where U.S. President Donald Trump defies all conventions and dares to invite Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, or a representative from the Revolutionary Guard to the opening ceremony alongside other world leaders? “Trump might just do it!”

Putting aside such hopes and dreams, it is undeniable that this is the “worst organized edition” of the tournament. The choice of the United States, along with Canada and Mexico, to host the 2026 World Cup is a poor decision, especially with the increase in the number of participating teams for the first time to 48, up from 32.

There are several reasons why this choice is problematic. Chief among them is the prevailing fear and panic due to crime rates, the ease of obtaining firearms, and the recurring incidents of mass shootings within the United States, which occur without any regulatory measures to deter them. The recent mass shooting incident that injured nine people near the England team’s residence serves as a stark example. This event has instilled fear and anxiety not only in the English team but also among many participating nations; mass shootings do not discriminate between leaders and the public. Notably, Trump himself has survived an assassination attempt at a hotel in Washington, despite the heavy security provided by U.S. law enforcement.

Moreover, the long distances that participating teams will have to travel for their matches—whether between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, or even within the U.S. itself—will stretch thousands of kilometers, inevitably leading to exhaustion for the teams.

Another glaring issue is the refusal of the United States to grant entry visas to certain members of some teams, including players and coaches, as was the case with some Iranian team members due to their ties to the Revolutionary Guard. Additionally, delays of up to seven hours in processing the entry of several players have occurred, alongside the denial of entry visas to various fans, such as the chief fan from Iraq who wept upon failing to secure a visa after Iraq’s return to the World Cup after a 34-year absence. Similar issues were reported in Tunisia and other nations facing U.S. security restrictions.

Are World Cup matches subject to security considerations over sports ones? Why these restrictions and excessive measures against fans in a country that claims to respect human rights while failing to honor the rights of fans and players? This is something we have never encountered in any past World Cup.

I am left wondering who the sporting philosopher was that theorized holding World Cup matches in three countries with vast territories and significant distances between them?

Let us also not forget the exorbitant costs incurred by the participating teams and fans, whether for travel between the three host nations or within a single extensive country, not to mention hotel accommodations, especially in the U.S.

I have a strange feeling that these reasons might prevent the completion of the World Cup, particularly the matches held in the U.S., due to the potential for gun violence against players or teams, a scenario I hope never materializes.

This brings to mind for us Arabs the legendary organization of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which amazed both friends and foes alike. The nations, fans, and even FIFA spoke of the safety and security experienced during the tournament, alongside the facilities provided to teams, players, and fans who enjoyed the matches like never before.

The first true goal of the 2022 World Cup, even before the opening match, was the reconciliation between Presidents Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

This demonstrates that Qatar outperformed others, leaving an organizational and fan experience that made subsequent organizers feel out of place.

In light of all the mistakes and grievances against teams, players, and clubs, will FIFA reconsider the rules for selecting host nations for the World Cup? Can we hope not to see three countries co-hosting the tournament again to avoid imposing excessive financial burdens on fans?

Despite all these criticisms of the tournament’s organization, I wish the Egyptian team the best in pleasing Egyptian fans and securing a spot in the knockout rounds for the first time, with millions of Egyptians rallying behind the players, especially Mohamed Salah, who has made waves in the U.S. and received an extraordinary welcome befitting this singular star, embodying the essence of the Egyptian spirit. Salah has made history as one of the top players in Liverpool and one of the ten most-prominent athletes worldwide. He has earned this love from Arab, Muslim, and international fans through his dedication and humility, which are reflected in his actions, notably his signature goal celebration.

Let’s not forget the other rising star, Omar Marmoush, who is following in Salah’s footsteps and is destined to make a significant impact in the global football scene. However, I must emphasize that Mohamed Salah represents something else entirely, despite my admiration for Marmoush.

I also want to extend my best wishes to the promising player Hamza Abdel Karim, who is set to create a seismic shift in sports after joining Barcelona.

If the Egyptian players can overcome their initial obstacles, they might achieve a significant surprise, which is not far-fetched if they abandon a defensive mindset and adopt an offensive approach in matches that allow for it.

We must also acknowledge the Moroccan national team, which came very close to reaching the World Cup final in Qatar, finishing in fourth place. Despite our disappointment at their failure to reach the final, we celebrated their breaking of the European and Latin American teams’ monopoly on the semifinals.

Our wishes also go to the brotherly Iraqi team, the sons of the Tigris and Euphrates, to achieve good results. I had hoped that the Palestinian team could join us so we could hear the chants of youth and fans calling for the Palestinian cause, shaking the American grounds, especially now that American youth and people have become more aware of the issues and are siding with the Palestinian people. This has compelled Netanyahu and the far-right and Zionist lobby to reconsider their calculations regarding the changing political landscape of American youth.

Away from politics, my wishes for the participating Arab teams are that they represent their nations honorably, and I anticipate a final showdown between Spain and France.

Happy World Cup to everyone!

And there’s no consolation for Trump, who may spoil the World Cup in the style of negotiations with Iran.