FIFA must step up to reassure South African fans

AS WE count down to the 2026 World Cup, the excitement should be palpable, filled with football and gees.

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Instead, it feels overshadowed by growing worries about safety, borders, and whether fans will truly feel welcome in the US.

Recent reports reveal that thousands of supporters are cancelling their travel plans, driven by fears related to immigration enforcement. This is a serious concern that FIFA cannot afford to ignore. Whether these fears are based on reality or are simply amplified by social media and political rhetoric is up for debate. What’s clear, however, is that confidence is slipping away, and that’s a dangerous sign for an event of this scale.