The 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is intended to be a global sports festival. But the host country USA is deeply divided politically, President Donald Trump deliberately uses sport as a stage – his poll numbers in the country are poor. And even before the tournament, questions about migration, social conflicts and political symbolism arise. The ARD documentary “Playfield of Power. The World Cup in Trump’s America” (June 8th at 8:15 p.m. on Erste) shows why this World Cup could become much more than just a soccer tournament.
“Football teams that travel to a tournament have one job: to play football successfully and nothing else.” When Jürgen Klinsmann talks about the upcoming World Cup, one wish resonates: that sport could once again be the focus of this tournament rather than political debates.
Whether that will be the case remains to be seen. The World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is taking place at a time when politics and sport appear more closely intertwined than ever before. In the United States in particular, sport is used for social and cultural conflicts – and President Donald Trump also repeatedly uses large sports stages for political events.
In the USA in November the so-called “Midterm elections“. Current surveys with a view to the midterm elections show that Trump’s support among the population is dwindling. The fact that Trump is using the power of sport is made clear not least by the fact that he wants to host a martial arts event directly in front of the White House on his 80th birthday shortly after the start of the World Cup. And Trump also has the best contacts with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who awarded him the “FIFA Peace Prize” as part of the World Cup draw The World Cup is firmly included in his political agenda.
A host country in conflict mode
The new ARD documentary “Playfield of Power. The World Cup in Trump’s America” looks at a host country that is in conflict mode. For the film, Tagesthemen presenter Ingo Zamperoni and sports journalist Philipp Awounou traveled through the USA and met people with different political views and realities of life. This created the image of a sports-crazy country that is looking forward to the World Cup, but at the same time is deeply divided socially.
The political framework surrounding the tournament could hardly be more sensitive. Relations between the United States and co-hosts Mexico and Canada are strained. The US government’s tough migration policy is causing international criticism. It is unclear how open and welcome fans from all over the world will feel at the World Cup – especially people with a migration background. In addition, Iran, a team with which the USA is at war, is part of the World Cup. The Iranian team’s headquarters were therefore moved to Mexico at short notice. It was said that the USA did not want the team on its territory. Iran’s group games should still take place in the USA.
Ingo Zamperoni describes the situation in the country as a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty, which he has encountered in many places. “Even those who are really looking forward to the World Cup have skepticism in the back of their minds: Will it really be a celebration for everyone?”says the ARD presenter.
“The world is a guest of enemies”
The sociologist Ben Carrington, who in Los Angeles who researches the connection between sport, culture and politics, draws a drastic comparison: While the 2006 World Cup in Germany had the motto “The world is a guest of friends,” he fears that the picture this time could be different: “The world is a guest of enemies.” He is sure that politics “Be present from the first game to the last” become.
Within American society, the lines of conflict run through the world of sports. Trump supporters support the administration’s hard line. Conservative influencer Emily Austin says she feels safer when immigration authorities “ICE“was present at the games for fear of terrorist attacks. The former captain of the US women’s soccer team Angel City FCAli Riley, sees the World Cup as an opportunity “Celebrating immigrants in our country”.
The journey of Ingo Zamperoni and Philipp Awounou also shows the other side of American sport. At NFL games, basketball events or college football, they experience moments in which opposing political views and opinions fade into the background. “At its core, sport also has something apolitical and unifying.”says Awounou. And Zamperoni also remains optimistic despite the tensions: “From my experience with the country, I would always bet on confidence.”
Politics will hardly be ignored at this World Cup. A tournament is emerging between euphoria and conflict, between social division and the attempt to bring people together through sport. A lot depends on how much Donald Trump will use the World Cup to send polarizing political messages.