Former Germany and United States coach Jürgen Klinsmann hopes that there be more clarity soon for fans and that everyone will be able to attend next year's World Cup. "Of course we hope that it will be a World Cup where the doors are open for all fans.
Former Germany and United States coach Jürgen Klinsmann hopes that there be more clarity soon for fans and that everyone will be able to attend next year's World Cup.
"Of course we hope that it will be a World Cup where the doors are open for all fans. And that many issues will be settled over the next nine to 10 months. But nobody can guarantee that," Klinsmann told German broadcasters RTL/ntv and the sport.de portal.
"We are living in very turbulent times worldwide, so we can only hope that everything will somehow balance out and that we will experience a World Cup in the three countries without any problems or discussions. That the focus sport is really on sports.
"But of course, we have no guarantee of that," Klinsmann, speaking at this week's unveiling of the World Cup ball in New York, said.
The 2026 World Cup takes place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
United States President Donald Trump has imposed an entry ban on citizens from several countries, including Iran, which has qualified for the tournament.
US authorities have reportedly denied the Iranian delegation entry for World Cup group draw on December 5 in Washington, and fans are concerned they won't get visas to attend games.
Trump's executive order however includes that athletes, coaches, support staff and close relatives will be exempt from the ban. This also applies for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Former Germany striker Klinsmann, 61, who has lived in the US for decades, is anticipating the tournament and said it will be something "very, very special.
"This World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada will be gigantic. It will be something huge, because Americans think that way," Klinsmann said.
Category: General Sports
