Tag Archives: Zurich

09Jan/26

The Gated Games: Why the 2026 World Cup is Losing its Soul

January 9, 2026FootballAdvocacy Team, amnesty international, Canada, Dakwar, Daniel, Daniel Noroña, FIFA, FIFA World Cup, Gianni Infantino, In Canadian soccer, Iran, Jamil Dakwar, Mexico, MEXICO CITY, Senegal, TORONTO, Twitter, United States, Watch Minky Worden, Worden, Zurichadmin

Jan. 9, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The World Cup has always been more than a tournament; it is a quadrennial “Global Village” where the world puts aside its borders for ninety minutes at a time. But as we approach the 2026 kickoff, that village is being replaced by a fortress. The United States’ current immigration stance—marked by travel bans for 39 nations and “extreme vetting” for others—is fundamentally altering the spirit of the game. We are moving toward a “Two-Tier World Cup” where your ability to cheer for your national team is determined by the strength of your passport, not the depth of your passion. Continue reading →

09Jan/26

A Divided Pitch: The Rise of “Fortress America” and the Death of the Global Fan

January 9, 2026FootballAdvocacy Team, amnesty international, Atlanta, Border control, Boston, Brazil, Canada, Canadian, Colombia, Dakwar, Dallas, Daniel, Daniel Noroña, FIFA, FIFA World Cup, France, Germany, Guadalajara, Haiti, In Canadian soccer, Iran, Jamil Dakwar, Los Angeles, Mexico, MEXICO CITY, Miami, Monterrey, Norway, Philadelphia, Port-au-Prince, Qatar, Russia, Scotland, Seattle, Senegal, South Africa, Tehran, TORONTO, Travel visa, Tunisia, Turkey, Twitter, United Kingdom, United States, Vancouver, Visa Inc., Visa requirements for Indian citizens, Watch Minky Worden, Zurichadmin

Jan. 9, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The intersection of U.S. immigration policy and the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become a major flashpoint. The feasibility of a boycott and the “ruining” of the game are subjects of intense debate among human rights groups, fans, and governing bodies. Football without fans is like a movie without a soundtrack. You can still follow the plot, and the acting (the skill) is still world-class, but you lose the emotional crescendos that make you jump out of your seat. For a World Cup—an event built on the “unity” of humanity—a lack of fans doesn’t just change the score; it changes the soul of the event. Continue reading →

18Jul/23

Penalties, passes, and a touch of politics: the Women’s World Cup is about to kick off

July 18, 2023FootballAmir Nasr Azadani, Auckland, Australia, Brisbane, China, Creative Commons, David Rowe, FIFA, Gianni Infantino, Harry Kane, Ireland, Mahsa Amini, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, OneLove, Qatar, Russia, Sam Kerr, Saudi Arabia, Sepp Blatter, Sydney, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, Zurichadmin

David Rowe, Western Sydney University

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off this Thursday night, the first football world cup hosted by Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

New Zealand opens the tournament by taking on Norway in Auckland, while Australia’s Matildas will play Ireland in front of an anticipated 80,000 fans at a sold out Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Continue reading →