The month-long competition will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the final scheduled to take place at the New York/New Jersey venue. Matches will be played in several major cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, and Monterrey.

Spanning multiple countries and cities, the tournament is projected to draw massive global attendance. Authorities in the United States have already advised international visitors to complete visa and travel requirements early, as preparations continue for what is expected to be a record-setting event.

Naija News reports that Nigeria will not participate in the tournament after failing to secure qualification, losing out to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Meanwhile, a review of the US Department of State website shows that Nigerians are still subject to entry restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which has been in effect since January 1, 2026.

In February, the Nigerian government said it was engaging US authorities diplomatically in an effort to have the country removed from the list of nations affected by visa restrictions. However, no policy change has been recorded so far, with the tournament now just weeks away.

This means that while fans and journalists may still apply for entry visas under specific categories, approval remains uncertain and subject to strict conditions. Some other countries, including Ghana, appear to have clearer and less restrictive travel guidance.

The US State Department has also emphasized that stringent visa screening and security measures will be enforced to protect both the country and tournament participants during the event.

At the same time, climate and health experts have raised concerns over extreme heat conditions expected during the competition. In an open letter reported by BBC Sport, scientists, medical professionals, and sports researchers urged FIFA to strengthen heat safety protocols recommended by FIFPRO.

Andrew Simms, who coordinated the letter, warned that player safety could be at risk, saying overheating situations can escalate quickly and that FIFA must avoid taking unnecessary risks with athletes’ health.

The report suggested that about 25% of matches could be played under conditions exceeding 26°C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a key indicator of heat stress. It also warned that around five matches could surpass 28°C WBGT, levels considered dangerous for elite football performance.

Researchers further noted that the risk of extreme heat has nearly doubled compared to the 1994 World Cup hosted in the United States, with additional concerns over thunderstorms and wildfire smoke.

FIFA, however, has stated that it will implement a tiered heat management system, alongside continuous weather monitoring across host cities. Kick-off times are also being scheduled to avoid peak heat periods, with preference given to covered stadiums where available.

Despite these measures, critics argue that rising global temperatures are raising serious questions about the safety and future of major summer sporting events.