The World Cup Is Coming to the U.S. — but at What Cost? | Amanpour and Company
Video Overview & Insights
Kick-off for the Men's FIFA World Cup is just around the corner. Yet the tournament is clouded by controversy. Africa's top referee, Oman Artan, will miss the World Cup after the U.S. denied his visa, citing vetting concerns. Unease is also growing in the U.S. following reports of the possible presence of ICE agents at World Cup events. Jules Boykoff, author of "Red Card" and a former professional footballer, says the political backdrop could tarnish the memory of this World Cup. Boykoff joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain.
Follow the $$$$.
Originally aired on June 9, 2026
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It sounds like the world Cup is beginning to be a money making grift. Very sad😢
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This tournament will be a mess
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"Could tarnish the World Cup"??
Oh I think that boat has definitely sailed on that view.🙄😄
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Flush the stupid wc fifa is still corrupt.
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Good interview!!! Sports as war via other means!!!! I can't help but think of the Nazi. Olympics of 1936 and Putin's drug factory at Sochi! in 2022. Anyone who sees them as politically neutral are incredibly naive!!!
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
All referees should have walked out. in support
#amanpourpbs
"Men's FIFA World Cup" -- it's just "the World Cup".
More User Perspectives
If I were the world I would NEVER EVER let USA host the World Cup again
@laleodekon5085OF
ALL the Nations that Could have Presented the WORLD CUP in my opinion the Un-United States of America should have been the LAST.
Genuinely hope it goes Well
I would boycott.
@janicegilbert233I honestly don’t give a f about soccer, and don’t care to understand more about it. But this was incredibly informative and interesting. Well done to both the host and the guest.
@m.watzke5016Which is more corrupt FIFA or the Olympics
@anniehuckerby9281Talk about ticket sales people have ordered tickets by seating, however when they they received tickets no where near the ones they ordered
@anniehuckerby9281FIFA President has a space in Trump Tower interesting since the space is empty 🤔
@anniehuckerby9281This WC is horrific in so many ways 😮
@Wellingl443Montreal, in Canada, wisely declined to host fifa matches.
@MounhasTrump does everything wrong, what do you expect from the man?
@TourStar-r4yHow is this a surprise when they've known about it for years, just like Saudi Arabia knows now? They're not going to start fundraising in December of 2033. Don't bid for something if you can't do it well...This isn't rocket science, especially if you know how to send rockets...
@jubythomas1130not always started with qatar. maybe earlier the US 1994
@hom-w9uI hope the whole thing is a HUGE flop!
@tanyaperrin8844The hand of god was the best world cup .
@bobzelley5100FIFA won't survive this, football fans have had enough, unlike MAGA fans
@billkingston4402Thank you for your optimism but I fear it will be the worst world cup ever.
@liesjeridley2485The costs of the World Cup in just TWO cities is over 1Billion dollars. That money didn't, nor will it, come from FIFA. The taxpayers will be footing those bills. FIFA insists it gets the revenue from the sales of tickets, a percentage from vendors, PLUS all the broadcasting and sponsorship money.
So Now Jersey had to increase the fates to get to the stadium, no cars or walking, from $12 to $100.
Cities may end up in debt for years just for the costs of security (police) and the hotels under booked and overpriced. People who expected good tips (US) may have no jobs due to cutting staff.
FIFA IS A CROOK.
@Seat_masherBoycott this world cup
@adamjin777But but but FIFA has projected that they would earn US$11 billion dollars in profits, so that's got to be something really worth celebrating big big time, right? Right?
@winstonchoo888DESTROY THE RICH
@edwardcroft6066MORE LUIGIS, NO BILLIONAIRES 🔫
@edwardcroft6066DESTROY THE RICH
@edwardcroft6066MORE LUIGIS, NO BILLIONAIRES 🔫
@edwardcroft6066Give them bread and circuses and they will never revolt.
@AlainaldoYou really think Trump isn't going to have the Iranian team arrested?
@TCR-l7zThe problem isn't in Mexico.
The problem isn't in Canada.
The problem is the United States of America.
It's not the World Cup's reputation that will suffer.
The USA brand is already trash. Now it will be a dumpster fire. Soft power ending ...
Geez, overrated news for click bate. Enjoy the game 🇲🇽⚽🏆🇺🇸
@starblazers01FIFA cup 2026 looks like Epstein system causing denial entry best African referee 2025!
@Witnesses26I don't get it if you are a legal employer (this case FIFA) wants to bring in a worker (Referee) why is Trumpy Dumpty's administration blocking it?
@raaspiderTrump could case less about the soccer matches but would get very interested in watching mass arrests are the gains by his ICE private army
@hellojam100the only way this World Cup could be worse is if Israel were participating
@hellojam100Will Trump be attending the championship game surrounded by hundreds of security personnel, getting booed and falling asleep 😴?
@morganland47Trump is screwing it up.
@ljacobs357Legacy? What legacy?
@thequeenmidasI hate soccer
@javiersantos4385The referees should collectively refuse to officiate the matches. This World Cup is already a scandal. And it hasn't even started yet.
@nonnaangelina5898Can't wait to see it fail spectacular 😍🇩🇪
@Moneymark1979...NOW IT IS TRUMP AND WHITE SUPREMACISTS
@mandlaveyi3411Worst world cup ever.
@mohammedalichannel7293Ice scum
@toddevans5731This WC is a disaster because of Trump's involvement.
@Doris_The_Dog