Can the US safely host the 2026 World Cup?
The mass shooting near the Kansas City Super Bowl victory rally is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges confronting the United States as it prepares to host the 2026 World Cup.
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Near the end of a rally celebrating NFL champion Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory, a barrage of gunfire erupted that signalled the start of the latest mass shooting to befall the United States.
At least 22 people were struck by gunfire in the attack, which took place on Wednesday near the outdoor celebration in downtown Kansas city, Missouri. Eleven of those hurt by gunfire were children as young as six. One person—a DJ at the local station and mother of two—was killed.
The violence occurred on the sixth anniversary of one of the most infamous mass shootings in recent American history, when a 19-year-old killed 17 people and wounded 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
It was also a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges confronting the US as it prepares to host the 2026 World Cup—one that emphasized the nation's continued challenges with gun violence, and prompted renewed scrutiny and calls for action to ensure the safety and security of all attendees during the global event.
Former USMNT player Taylor Twellman was among those who raised concerns about whether visitors would feel safe to attend World Cup games in the US.
“If you argue against the regulation of fire arms after seeing 10 people shot at a #SuperBowl parade, then get your brain checked to see if it works,” Twellman wrote on Twitter. “And while you are at it, check the heart too. Disgraceful. Imagine when the World Cup is here why would a visitor feel safe?!”
The US, which experienced a total of 656 mass shootings in 2023, has already witnessed 49 mass shootings within the first 46 days of 2024. Nearly a dozen of those incidents took place in cities slated to host some of the 78 World Cup matches taking place in the US in 2026.
Notably, Kansas City, site of the most recent mass shooting this week, is scheduled to host six matches during the 2026 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the US is no closer to resolving the epidemic of gun violence plaguing its cities despite public demand for change. US President Joe Biden has called for tougher gun control measures while recent polls suggest that a majority of Americans want stricter gun control laws. Only 12 percent favoured less strict laws.
However, though a majority of Americans favour stricter gun laws, only a small percentage believe that no one outside of police or other authorized persons should be able to possess a handgun, arguing that guns enhance home safety.
Gun control is also a heavily partisan issue in the US, with Democrats overwhelmingly favouring stricter laws while Republicans generally want gun laws to remain the same.
In response to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, Congress enacted bipartisan legislation aimed at combating gun violence, which President Biden subsequently signed into law. Widely regarded as the first significant federal legislation on the issue in decades, the measure broadened background checks for firearm purchases among young adults, bolstered funding for mental health initiatives, extended restrictions on gun ownership for individuals convicted of domestic violence, and offered incentives for states to adopt "red flag" laws.
The law did not, however, include a ban on assault rifles or longer wait periods for gun purchases, which critics argued significantly weakened the bill’s effectiveness. Since then, the US has endured hundreds of mass shootings and other incidents of gun violence.
Even Canada, which will host 13 World Cup games in 2026, advises those traveling to the US to “familiarize yourself with how to respond to an active shooter situation.”
This is not to suggest that Canada is perfect. A shooting incident took place during the Toronto Raptors’ NBA victory parade in 2019, where four people were injured in the attack. However, gun violence in Toronto, a city that is set to host six World Cup games, has decreased over the past five years.
Mexico, another host of the 2026 World Cup, has also been beset by mass shootings and massacres. However, the scale of such tragedies in Mexico pales in comparison to those in the US, where pervasive accessibility of firearms in the US has resulted in a gun homicide rate 26 times higher than that of peer countries.
The US’s gun problem is also deeply embedded in its perception abroad. During the 2026 World Cup bidding process, Morocco touted safety for visiting fans and limited gun crime in its attempt to challenge the rivalling US-led bid.
Although the US hasn't experienced a mass shooting at a major sports event in recent memory, the potential for such incidents should be regarded as a serious worry. Additionally, addressing this issue isn't simply a matter of implementing enhanced security measures.
According to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, the widespread availability of firearms and the prevalence of gun violence in the United States pose significant challenges in ensuring comprehensive security for any public gathering. Even with several hundred law enforcement officers deployed during the Chiefs' victory parade and rally, tragedy still struck.
After recounting how he was among those who ran for cover at the sound of gunshots, Quinton added: “Parades, rallies, schools, movies - it seems like almost nothing is safe.”
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It is a very reasonable question.
We Americans tend to think of our country as more advanced. But this post's title's question urges a different perspective. Our gun violence problem may disqualify us from hosting international events!