World Cup puts spotlight on immigration policy

CNN and NPR turned to a political science professor at the University of Cincinnati to explain the intersection of sports and politics at the FIFA World Cup.

Cities across the United States are playing host to fans and players from around the world for the international soccer tournament held every four years. But some visitors have been turned away by immigration enforcement.

A tournament referee from Somalia and support staff from Iran were denied entry or visas. The Iranian team was not permitted to stay overnight in the United States so is traveling back and forth from Mexico. Meanwhile, ticketed fans from some countries were denied visas.

“When you insert politics into the competition, it's no longer the competition it was,“ Niven told NPR.

CNN also interviewed Niven, who teaches a course on sports and politics at UC's School for Public and International Affairs.

Niven said the World Cup traditionally is an opportunity to burnish the image of the host country on the world stage. Qatar got a sustained boost in international tourism in the years after it hosted the 2022 games. 

“Sports diplomacy has a long history of bringing countries together and showing off a country's best side,“ Niven told CNN.

Featured image at top: UC Professor David Niven spoke to CNN and NPR about the intersection of sports and politics at this year's World Cup. Illustration/iStockPhoto