The report says supporters from Scotland had travel authorisations cancelled shortly before their team’s opening fixtures. It also says Iran had its entire allocation of tournament tickets cancelled while members of the squad faced visa difficulties.
Two individual cases have added to the concern:
None of those cases alone defines the tournament. Together, they create uncertainty for fans, officials and players planning international travel.
The World Cup arrives as the United States is seeking to rebuild international tourism. A report citing travel figures says four million fewer foreign visitors entered the country in 2025 than in 2024.
The tournament offers a rapid opportunity to reverse that trend. The report says officials expect five million international visitors during the six weeks surrounding the competition, with matches spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico over 39 days.
That opportunity extends beyond the major football centres. Atlanta can offer the Beltline and its civil-rights history, while Kansas City has a strong jazz and museum culture. But those attractions will matter only if overseas visitors can enter the country smoothly.
The report also cites a hotel-sector survey in which 80% of respondents in host cities were below their initial booking projections. High costs, international travel barriers and uncertainty over room inventory were among the reported concerns.
The next test comes when the first large waves of supporters arrive. Clear visa communication, consistent border procedures and affordable accommodation will determine whether the World Cup becomes a tourism revival-or a warning about the cost of making entry too complicated.