Qatar’s 2022 World Cup was defined by the construction of new venues and scrutiny of the kafala system, which tied migrant workers closely to employers. The United States presents a different setting, with existing stadiums limiting the need for a comparable building programme.
That does not remove the concern over dependency. The report says guest workers can rely on employer sponsorship for their immigration status, potentially restricting their ability to change jobs or challenge wages and conditions. The result is a less visible but still important labour question across hospitality, agriculture and event services.
The United States also has stronger labour protections and more established routes for organising. However, legal protections are only effective when workers can use them without fearing dismissal, retaliation or immigration consequences.
Reports suggest the US policy debate is combining tougher immigration enforcement with continued demand for temporary foreign labour.
That combination creates the tournament’s sharpest contradiction. The country may be seeking tighter control of migration while increasing reliance on workers whose status is tied to employers. Allegations of wage theft, forced labour and trafficking therefore require scrutiny rather than being treated as isolated cases.
Immigration policy could affect more than workers. Visa restrictions, border procedures and enforcement activity may shape how supporters travel and where teams train. Iran are reported to be playing matches in the United States while using a base camp in Tijuana, highlighting the logistical sensitivity around entry and movement.
The next test will come as tournament preparations accelerate. , host cities and US authorities will face pressure to show that World Cup efficiency does not come at the expense of worker protections, predictable access or basic dignity.