When the host controls the borders: FIFA World Cup 2026 and the limits of sporting universalism

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has renewed debate over whether global football can genuinely uphold its commitment to universal participation when access to the tournament remains subject to state sovereignty. This commentary argues that the principal challenge extends beyond sporting competition to the governance of cross-border mobility. Focusing on the tournament's co-hosting model involving the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it examines how FIFA's universal regulatory framework operates alongside national authority over immigration, border control, and territorial access. It argues that sporting universalism should be understood not only as equality in competition but also as equality of mobility. In an era of increasingly complex multi-jurisdictional governance, participation in global sport depends not only on sporting merit but also on equitable opportunities to cross national borders. Reconsidering mobility as a core dimension of global sport governance offers a new perspective for understanding participation in future sport mega events.