Challenges Ahead: Changing Geopolitics, Immigration and Sports

As the global political and economic landscape continues to evolve, sport remains one of the few forces capable of bringing people and nations together. Yet even international sporting events are increasingly being affected by shifting geopolitical realities, changing immigration policies, and heightened border security concerns.

Those challenges have come into sharp focus during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which opened today in Mexico with co-host Mexico facing South Africa in the tournament’s first match. Reports of visa and immigration difficulties involving athletes and officials from some of the 48 participating nations have raised concerns about access to the United States, the tournament’s primary host. Similar questions are already being asked about the 2028 Olympic Games, which will be held in Los Angeles.

For countries with strained diplomatic relations with the United States, concerns over whether athletes, officials, media personnel, and support staff will be able to enter the country without difficulty have become increasingly prominent. These issues are drawing attention not only from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but also from major international sports governing bodies, including FIFA and other global federations responsible for organizing international competitions.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry said she remains confident that athletes, officials, and stakeholders from around the world will be able to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games despite growing concerns over immigration enforcement and visa access in the United States during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Speaking during an online press conference following the IOC Executive Board meeting, Coventry acknowledged that the IOC is closely monitoring developments at the World Cup, where reports involving immigration issues and entry difficulties have raised questions about preparations for future major sporting events in the United States.

Asked whether recent incidents at the World Cup should be viewed as a warning sign for LA28, Coventry said the IOC and LA28 organizers are already working through dedicated mechanisms with U.S. authorities to address potential challenges.

“We are obviously very aware of and following the World Cup as it gets closer and closer to kick-off time,” Coventry said. “Of course, we are following everything that’s happening daily.”

The issue was raised by journalists who referenced concerns expressed by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk regarding immigration enforcement, racial profiling, and access to the United States for international visitors. Particular attention was drawn to reports involving Somali referee Omar Artan and whether similar situations could affect Olympic participants in 2028.

Despite those concerns, Coventry expressed confidence that lessons learned during the World Cup would help strengthen preparations for the Olympic Games.

“I am confident that in two years we will be able to overcome a number of the challenges that the World Cup is facing right now,” she said.

Coventry noted that collaboration between the IOC, the Los Angeles Organizing Committee (LA28), the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and U.S. government agencies is already underway through a dedicated Olympic and Paralympic Games task force. She said organizers are actively gathering feedback from stakeholders and communicating concerns directly to authorities while continuing to advocate for athletes and their support teams.

“It is our job to continue to monitor that, to advocate for that and for athletes and their entourage to be able to ensure that they are there in the LA28 Games,” Coventry stated.

IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Pierre Ducrey, who recently attended meetings with LA28 organizers, reinforced those assurances. He said dedicated personnel are already working on visa and immigration-related matters and that LA28 maintains an office in Washington to coordinate with federal agencies.

“There are dedicated people already inside the organizing committee working just on this topic,” Ducrey said. “They have an office in Washington. There is a strong relationship they are building with the authorities, with the right agencies that will have to be involved in this process.”

Ducrey added that organizers are also working to educate government agencies about the scale and complexity of the Olympic Games, including the large number of athletes, officials, media representatives, and support personnel expected to travel to Los Angeles.

“We can also spend a lot of time educating the agencies and make sure we are all on the same page regarding what is going to happen in 2028,” he said.

When asked what guarantees currently exist that all Olympic stakeholders will be granted entry into the United States, Coventry pointed to obligations contained in the LA28 host city contract and said additional safeguards are being developed through the task force structure.

“We’re going to consistently work with them. We’re going to consistently collaborate with them,” Coventry said. “As soon as we get any feedback from the Olympic movement and our stakeholders, we relay that directly to them.”

While acknowledging that challenges remain, Coventry reiterated her confidence that Los Angeles will successfully host the Games.

“I do believe that we will see a successful LA28; what is happening is an important learning opportunity,” Coventry concluded.

IOC EB PRESS CONFERENCE Q&A HIGHLIGHTS:

Q: How have athletes reacted to the IOC’s “Fit for the Future” project? 

Kirsty Coventry: Athletes have responded positively and have been very open in sharing their views. Their feedback has encouraged broader discussions across the Olympic Movement.

Q: How do you balance global appeal with a host country’s sporting culture? 

Karl Stoss: The IOC wants to maintain a balance between innovation and tradition when evaluating sports and disciplines for the Olympic programme.

Q: Could Summer Olympic sports be added to future Winter Olympics?

Karl Stoss: Not for now. The IOC wants to preserve the Winter Games’ identity as a celebration of snow and ice sports. However, the possibility could be discussed in the future.

Q: Why is the IOC introducing a new discipline-based programme review?

Kirsty Coventry: The IOC wants a transparent process with clear criteria that allows the Olympic programme to evolve while remaining relevant globally. She said the new framework has been developed in consultation with stakeholders across the Olympic Movement.

Q: Is the IOC considering Olympic prize money for athletes? 

Kirsty Coventry:  While acknowledging the growing discussion around athlete compensation, Coventry reiterated her long-held opposition to Olympic prize money. “I don’t agree with prize money at the Olympic Games.” Instead, she said the IOC is exploring ways to increase direct support for all Olympians through Olympic Solidarity scholarships and other initiatives. “For me, the principle will be: how do we try to help every Olympic athlete?” Coventry hinted that further athlete-support measures could be announced during the IOC Session later this month.

Q: Are visa and immigration issues seen at the FIFA World Cup a concern for LA28?

Kirsty Coventry: Yes, the IOC is monitoring the situation closely. However, she is confident that the challenges can be addressed before the Los Angeles Olympics through cooperation with U.S. authorities and the LA28 Organizing Committee.

Pierre Ducrey: LA28 already has dedicated staff working on visa and immigration matters and is coordinating closely with federal agencies.

Q: What guarantees exist that all Olympic stakeholders will be allowed into the United States for LA28?

Kirsty Coventry: The IOC is relying on commitments contained in the Host City Contract and ongoing work with a dedicated task force. She said she remains confident that LA28 will be successfully delivered.

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