The 2026 Trade War World Cup encapsulates our new nativist world order | Aaron Timms
The Trump administration’s tariffs have sparked tension with co-hosts Canada and Mexico. That’s bad news for a tournament that is supposed to unite nations
The start of the run-up to a World Cup is traditionally an upbeat affair. New stadium launches, inclusion-friendly marketing and merch campaigns, the unveiling of a tournament song or quirky mascot: these are the traditional signals by which host nations announce that the big show is approaching. This time, pre-tournament preparations are taking shape a little differently. Thanks to Donald Trump and his determination to pursue economic armageddon against the US’s co-hosts, Canada and Mexico, the tone for the 2026 World Cup is being set not by Shakira or an anthropomorphic keffiyeh but by reciprocal tariffs, a flurry of cross-border insults, and crumbling diplomatic relations between the host nations. On Tuesday, Trump confirmed that the US will begin imposing levies on most imports from Canada and Mexico; Canada immediately retaliated, and Mexico looks set to follow. Welcome to the Trade War World Cup; please tip your host 25% of the entrance fee on your way in. If things continue on their current course, the 2026 tournament will be the first installment of the World Cup to be co-hosted by the antagonists of an active international economic conflict.
Whether things do in fact continue as they are is, of course, difficult to predict: Trump’s approach to policy is famously erratic, and the protectionism that marked his first administration was leavened by various exemptions and carve-outs to the tariffs imposed on trading partners, a cycle of aggression and moderation that could be repeated this time round. With the first match still 15 months away, there’s plenty of time for the deterioration in diplomatic relations between the co-hosts to give way to reconciliation. But as things stand today, with Trump and his cabinet lackeys apparently hellbent on trashing the global economy and humiliating traditional allies, that hope seems pretty remote. The US – which is due to host 75% of the matches during the 2026 tournament, and every fixture from the quarter-finals onwards – looks set to steam into the approaching World Cup with a spirit of hospitality roughly equivalent to Roy Keane sizing up Alf-Inge Haaland’s knee.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Fifa’s new Women’s Club World Cup could be delayed beyond 2026
Tournament has backing but more preparation needed Four-team mini-tournament could take place in 2026 Fifa’s new 16-team Women’s Club World Cup could be delayed beyond its previously proposed ...The Guardian - 2d -
2026 World Cup final will feature Coldplay-produced halftime show
The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Yahoo Sports - 14h -
Nicola Jennings on realpolitik in the new world order – cartoon
Continue reading...The Guardian - 3d -
FIFA to postpone first Women's Club World Cup to 2028 and introduce Women's Champions Cup beginning in 2026
A FIFA council has approved new competitions and format for club teams in the futureCBS Sports - 7h -
World Cup 2026 final to get half-time show with planning input from Coldplay
Fifa’s Gianni Infantino confirms event ‘This will be a historic moment for the World Cup’ The 2026 World Cup final is to feature a half-time musical show, imitating the Super Bowl, with artists ...The Guardian - 12h -
Coldplay working with FIFA to produce first-ever World Cup final halftime show for 2026
DALLAS — Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin is working with FIFA to curate the first Super Bowl-style halftime show at the World Cup final next year.NBC News - 9h -
3 Years Into Russia-Ukraine War, Trump Ushers in New World for Putin
Fresh possibilities have emerged for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia with a change of power in Washington.The New York Times - Feb. 24 -
2026 FIFA World Cup final to have Super Bowl-style halftime show: Gianni Infantino says Coldplay to help plan
The first-ever halftime show is being put together in conjunction with Global CitizenCBS Sports - 13h -
Fifa launches new Women’s Champions Cup but delays Women’s Club World Cup
Champions Cup to involve six clubs from across the world Club World Cup was due in 2026 but will start in 2028 A new six-team Women’s Champions Cup is to be established next year, featuring ...The Guardian - 8h
More from The Guardian
-
Macron warns Russian aggression ‘knows no borders’ in televised address
French president says Europe must prepare for a future without guaranteed US support, warning Russian threat could extend beyond Ukraine. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has warned that ...The Guardian - 7h -
Trump posts fresh ultimatum to Hamas as US enters direct talks with group
US president tells group to ‘release all of the Hostages now ... or it is OVER for you’ as White House enters negotiations. Donald Trump has posted a fresh ultimatum to Hamas, telling the group to ...The Guardian - 4h -
Trump temporarily spares carmakers from US tariffs on Canada and Mexico
After a call with top executives at GM, Ford and Stellantis, president approves one-month exemption from tariffs. US politics live – latest updates Donald Trump has temporarily spared ...The Guardian - 8h -
Canada goose fights off bald eagle in rare, symbolism-laden battle on ice
Photographer captures 20-minute clash between birds emblematic of Canada and US amid high trade tensions. For the second time in weeks, a Canadian icon has emerged as the unlikely victor in an ...The Guardian - 8h -
Harvey Elliott stuns PSG as Liverpool weather storm to snatch dramatic win
Alisson had rarely been mentioned in the story of Liverpool’s old guard rediscovering peak form and propelling Arne Slot’s team towards glory this season. One night in Paris changed that. The ...The Guardian - 5h
More in World
-
3/5: CBS Evening News
Trump gives automakers one-month reprieve from tariffs; Honolulu police want to teach new tricks to its COVID-era robot dogCBS News - 21m -
National Endowment for Democracy Sues Top Trump Aides Over Funding Freeze
The nonprofit has enjoyed bipartisan support since its founding in the Reagan era, but it finds itself under pressure from the Trump administration.The New York Times - 29m -
Global sea ice hit ‘all-time minimum’ in February, scientists say
Scientists called the news ‘particularly worrying’ because ice reflects sunlight and cools the planet. Global sea ice fell to a record low in February, scientists have said, a symptom of an ...The Guardian - 40m -
New Zealand’s high commissioner to the UK loses job after Trump comments
Phil Goff questioned Donald Trump’s grasp of history at a Chatham House event in London, prompting the foreign minister to say his position is ‘untenable’. New Zealand’s high commissioner to the ...The Guardian - 45m -
Senate Democrats condemn Russia over Ukraine war and dare Republicans to object – live
Democrats introduce resolutions on Senate floor, as Trump veterans affairs chief defends plans to cut 80,000 staff. Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau will speak today, Reuters reports, citing a ...The Guardian - 48m