World Cup 2026 host cities face scrutiny over treatment of homeless, Trump praises tournament

As preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 continue, host cities are facing scrutiny over their approach to homeless populations. Concerns have been raised in cities such as Atlanta, Toronto, Seattle, and Kansas City regarding the potential for displacement and inadequate support for unhoused individuals. In Atlanta, city employees reportedly discarded tents, medication, and identification belonging to unhoused people near a World Cup fan zone, leading to accusations of procedural breaches and insensitivity. Critics in Toronto and Vancouver have also pointed to a pattern of displacement and a lack of specific, enforceable strategies in human rights action plans to protect vulnerable groups. While some cities like Dallas have seen the clearing of tent encampments ahead of the tournament, other efforts aim to house, rather than arrest, homeless individuals, though advocates remain skeptical about the long-term impact of these initiatives.

In contrast, Donald Trump has offered enthusiastic praise for the tournament's success, calling the 2026 World Cup "one of the all-time greatest sporting events in history" and "a tournament like no other". Speaking at a reception in New York, Trump claimed credit for the event's positive outcomes and even joked about the United States hosting a future World Cup independently of Canada and Mexico. FIFA President Gianni Infantino echoed these sentiments, lauding Trump's role in the tournament and declaring it a success in uniting people globally.