"Kansas City, Missouri, will be one of 11 U.S. host sites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts June 11. The soccer tournament is the world's most popular sporting event, and Mullin said the United States is expecting as many as 7 million international visitors. Although Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the tournament, more than three-quarters of the matches will be played in the U.S., and Mullin has likened the security challenge to protecting "78 Super Bowls.""
"Mullin said that the 76-day DHS funding shutdown this spring put the safety of the World Cup in jeopardy, and he blamed "kamikaze Democrats" who "will do anything to destroy our nation as long as they can find a way to get back to power." The shutdown-over Democrats' demands to rein in ICE-ended April 30 when Republicans settled for a procedural work-around. "Can we still deliver? Yes," Mullin said. "Were we able to be as proactive? No. Absolutely not.""
"Although the stated purpose of Mullin's speech was to promote a Republican proposal for an additional $70 billion to fund immigration enforcement, it also allowed him to pre-deflect blame if something bad were to happen during the World Cup. Mullin made appearances on Fox News this week to drive that message home."
Markwayne Mullin delivered a speech at Kansas City International Airport with Customs and Border Protection officers present, holding a pink stress-management ball while addressing World Cup readiness. Kansas City is one of 11 U.S. host sites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup beginning June 11, with expectations of up to 7 million international visitors. Mullin said the United States is not fully prepared to host the event and compared the security challenge to protecting 78 Super Bowls. He blamed a 76-day DHS funding shutdown for jeopardizing safety and attributed the shutdown to Democrats. He said the shutdown ended after Republicans used a procedural work-around to end Democrats’ demands to rein in ICE. He also promoted a Republican proposal for an additional $70 billion for immigration enforcement.
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