{"id":2580868,"date":"2026-03-17T12:48:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-criticizes-fifa-over-2026-world-cup-security-concerns\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:50:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T16:50:25","slug":"eu-criticizes-fifa-over-2026-world-cup-security-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-criticizes-fifa-over-2026-world-cup-security-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"EU criticizes FIFA over 2026 World Cup security concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feu-criticizes-fifa-over-2026-world-cup-security-concerns%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2580868&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>European Union sports commissioner Glenn Micallef urged FIFA to strengthen security planning for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that rising geopolitical tensions could threaten players and fans. With the United States, canada, and Mexico hosting and up to 10 million visitors expected across 11 U.S. cities, security is a top concern.<\/p>\n<p>Micallef cited issues such as cartel violence in Mexico, the involvement of U.S. immigration authorities in security operations, and tensions between the U.S.and Iran, noting that Iran has floated relocating its matches from the U.S. to Mexico. He criticized FIFA\u2019s partnership with the White House Board of Peace and preferred collaborations with multilateral bodies like UNESCO and UNICEF. FIFA and U.S. officials stressed safety as a top priority and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >highlighted ample federal funding committed<\/a> to tournament security, while saying that the host countries will work to provide a safe habitat for all involved.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">EU commissioner criticizes FIFA leadership over World Cup security concerns<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2452738\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1177\">European Union<\/a> sports commissioner Glenn Micallef urged <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fifa\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4138\">FIFA<\/a> to strengthen security planning for the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/world-cup\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1397\">2026 World Cup<\/a> on Monday, warning that rising geopolitical tensions could pose risks for teams and fans.<\/p>\n<p>The United States, Canada, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mexico\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"322\">Mexico<\/a> are set to jointly host the tournament, with as many as 10 million visitors expected to travel to the 11 U.S. cities hosting games.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493962\/israel-targeting-basij-leadership-focus-security-infrastructure\/\">Israel shifts focus to Iran&#8217;s security infrastructure with latest Basij strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493872\/what-ali-larijani-killing-says-iran-senior-leadership\/\">What Ali Larijani killing says about the state of Iran&#8217;s senior leadership<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4493843\/idf-claims-it-killed-two-top-iranian-officials-in-overnight-airstrikes\/\">IDF claims it killed top Iranian official Ali Larijani and Basij commander in latest strikes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;From my point of view, hosts of big sporting events like the FIFA World Cup and those who are responsible for the organization of the tournament, including FIFA, have a responsibility to ensure that the teams participating and the fans who are attending from those teams are <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.eu\/article\/glenn-micallef-fifa-gianni-infantino-world-cup\/\">assured of their safety<\/a> and their security,&rdquo; Micallef said in an interview with <em>Politico<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Micallef pointed to a range of concerns across host nations, including cartel-related violence in Mexico following the death of cartel leader &ldquo;El Mencho,&rdquo; the role of U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> in security operations, and tensions between the U.S. and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Following the escalation of tensions that we&rsquo;ve seen in the last few days, we&rsquo;ve asked again for renewed assurance for all those traveling to the World Cup, especially since one of the hosts of this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-does-this-image-show-dozens-of-private-jets-at-the-uns-cop26\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show Dozens Of Private Jets At The UN\u2019s COP26?\">biggest sporting event<\/a> in the world is party to a war,&rdquo; Micallef said.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, Iran signaled it may seek to relocate its matches. Iran&rsquo;s Embassy in Mexico said the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran&rsquo;s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico on Tuesday.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,&rdquo; Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/IraninMexico\/status\/2033682796737073599\">statement on X<\/a> translated from Persian.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, FIFA announced a partnership with the White House <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/board-of-peace\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21313\">Board of Peace<\/a> aimed at using football to support recovery and development in conflict-affected regions. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the effort. &ldquo;FIFA wants <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/inside.fifa.com\/organisation\/media-releases\/board-of-peace-strategic-partnership-recovery-peace-gaza\">as many people as possible<\/a> around the world to participate in our game and benefit from the opportunities it creates,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Micallef raised objections to the partnership, warning that it could undermine existing multilateral organizations.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Speaking as a European commissioner responsible for sport, I would prefer to partner up with multilateral organizations, organizations that respect the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-reporter-grills-psaki-on-france-feeling-betrayed-over-deal-biden-made\/\" title=\"WATCH: Reporter Grills Psaki On France Feeling Betrayed Over Deal Biden Made\">international rules-based order<\/a>, like UNESCO and UNICEF, when it comes to the implementation of projects related to sport,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4475552\/world-leader-diplomatic-resolution-us-strike-iran\/\"><strong>WORLD LEADERS STRESS DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION AFTER US-ISRAEL STRIKES ON IRAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A FIFA spokesperson said safety and security are &ldquo;top priority,&rdquo; adding that the organization &ldquo;is confident that the efforts being made by the governments of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/canada\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"366\">Canada<\/a>, Mexico and the United States will ensure a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for everyone involved.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>U.S. officials have also emphasized their preparedness. At a December 2025 press conference, Executive Director <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Andrew Giuliani said more than $1 billion in federal funding had been&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/briefings-foreign-press-centers\/preparations-for-fifa-world-cup-2026#:~:text=At%20the%20heart%20of%20all,be%20great%20proof%20of%20that.\">committed to tournament security<\/a>&nbsp;&mdash; one of the largest safety resource commitments<\/span> ever made for a single event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EU official urges FIFA to bolster World Cup security<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2580869,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26072762028669.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[39748,9721,32402,34722,75971],"class_list":["post-2580868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-eu","tag-fifa","tag-international-relations","tag-security-concerns","tag-world-cup-2026"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26072762028669.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2580868"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2580872,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580868\/revisions\/2580872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2580869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2580868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2580868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2580868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}