There are growing concerns among World Cup fans that the ongoing immigration crackdown in the United States will seriously impact the ability of international athletes and fans to enter the country for the upcoming World Cup games.
Of the 104 World Cup matches this summer, 78 will be held in the U.S. with 13 each in Canada and Mexico.
The immigration concerns are serious enough that New Jersey congresswoman Rep. Nellie Pou has introduced a bill requesting that no federal funding should be used to carry out immigration enforcement activity within one mile of any FIFA World Cup match or Fan Festival during the tournament in the United States this summer.
Which is why news that FIFA has canceled thousands of previously reserved hotel rooms in at least three host cities is concerning.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that FIFA canceled 2,000 of their 10,000 hotel room reservations in Philadelphia last week, and that similar moves have also taken place in at least two additional U.S. host cities.
That comes on top of news that FIFA reportedly canceled 40% of its hotel bookings in Mexico City earlier this month.
A person familiar with FIFA’s hotel contracts, but who was not authorized to speak on the record, said the soccer governing body exercised a standard contractual provision consistent with large-scale global events, and confirmed the hotel room rollback was happening in other host cities.
These rooms are set aside for FIFA staff, media organizations, and attendees. And while it’s not unusual for FIFA to adjust the number of rooms it requires ahead of the World Cup, the size and timing of this year’s decisions are yet another challenge for U.S. host cities. – Yahoo News