Nancy Armour Says U.S. Already Lost 2026 World Cup as Trump Politics Overshadow 48-Team Event
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 12
Nancy Armour Says U.S. Already Lost 2026 World Cup as Trump Politics Overshadow 48-Team Event
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 12
Summary
USA Today columnist Nancy Armour argued the United States has already "lost" the 2026 World Cup, saying the host nation has shown itself to be "hateful and greedy" regardless of how the U.S. team performs.
Her critique centers on President Donald Trump, the treatment of Iran's national team and the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan, which she called based on "dubious reasons."
Armour also pointed to high ticket prices as part of the tournament's failure to showcase the country positively, though the report notes FIFA — not the U.S. government — sets pricing.
The column landed as the 48-team World Cup opened across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Mexico beating South Africa 2-0 in the first completed match and 103 games still to play.