Online calls to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup are gaining traction as social media users raise concerns about U.S. immigration policies ahead of the global event.
The backlash is tied to renewed attention on enforcement measures associated with Donald Trump, including mass deportation rhetoric and the use of the Alien Enemies Act. Viral posts claim that recent actions targeting alleged Venezuelan gang members — some reportedly sent to El Salvador — signal broader risks for international travelers.
Several accounts on X have encouraged fans to cancel trips to the United States in protest. One viral post claimed more than 16,000 World Cup tickets were canceled overnight, though no independent verification has confirmed widespread cancellations.
Despite the online outrage, FIFA reports record demand for the tournament, with more than 150 million ticket requests submitted so far. Officials have stated there is no evidence of mass cancellations and emphasize that current policies are aimed at undocumented individuals — not visa-holding tourists or World Cup attendees.
For now, the growing boycott calls appear louder online than on the ground, raising questions about whether digital protests will translate into real-world impact as the tournament approaches.
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