The head of the United States Olympic Committee, Gene Sykes, has described the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a major test of America’s ability to host large numbers of international spectators ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Sykes made this known on Tuesday while addressing a meeting of International Olympic Committee (IOC) members in the build-up to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. He explained that welcoming fans from across the world for the World Cup would serve as an early trial of the systems and processes needed for the Olympics.
According to him, the World Cup presents an opportunity to assess how the United States handles the influx of foreign visitors for major sporting events, even though it would be on a smaller scale compared to the Olympics.
During his progress report on preparations for LA 2028, Sykes was questioned about potential challenges spectators might face in securing visas, especially in light of the tougher immigration policies introduced by President Donald Trump.
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He disclosed that the Los Angeles Olympic organisers, in collaboration with federal authorities, had established a platform to ease entry procedures for athletes, officials, and other key stakeholders. However, he acknowledged that the arrangement does not currently cover spectators.
Raising concerns, Ethiopian IOC member Dagmawit Girmay Berhane asked how the principle of equal access would be guaranteed for fans wishing to attend the Games. In response, Sykes said he would support the designation of specific officials within the US State Department to handle visa applications related to Olympic spectators.
Meanwhile, supporters’ groups have continued to express worries over the hosting of the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, citing possible travel and visa-related challenges for fans.
