Donald Trump became the first American president in history to skip a United States opening match at a Fifa World Cup, as the 2026 tournament kicked off amid a backdrop of drug cartel violence and political tensions. The US president’s absence was matched by Mexico’s leader Claudia Sheinbaum, who did not attend the Mexico opener at Azteca Stadium on Thursday, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who skipped the Canada opener in Toronto on Friday. The three co-hosts all missed their nations’ first games, raising questions about the festival atmosphere the organisers had hoped for.
Before a ball was even kicked, the tournament had been mired in controversy. The BBC’s Carl Nasman noted the significance of Trump’s decision, while fans and pundits pointed to strict border controls, eye-watering ticket prices and the prospect of two countries at war playing each other — all reminders of a deeply divided world. In Mexico, the threat was more visceral. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which dominates the state of Jalisco and its capital Guadalajara — host city for several matches — has long waged a violent campaign. Héctor Flores Fernández, whose son Daniel was snatched by CJNG gunmen in May 2021, said: “All I can do is hope that he comes back to me one day. The pain is tremendous.”
“Donald Trump became first US president to skip a World Cup opener as cartel violence and political tensions overshadow the 2026 tournament.”
Mexican special forces killed CJNG leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho”, in a February shootout near the town of Tapalpa, Mexican officials said. But the cartel’s reach extends to some 40 countries, and the tournament now proceeds under the shadow of its legacy. With the USA facing Paraguay later today, the question remains: can the beautiful game escape the drama off the pitch?