Senator JD Vance has set off an international firestorm after making comments widely interpreted as a threat to tourists planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. During a fiery speech at a political rally in Ohio, Vance warned foreign visitors to “think twice before coming to a country that’s no longer playing nice.”
The remarks were immediately blasted by critics as reckless, dangerous, and damaging to America’s global reputation just months before the U.S. prepares to co-host one of the largest sporting events on Earth.
BREAKING: JD Vance tells potential World Cup tourists to “think twice” before coming to the U.S., sparking international outrage and calls for clarification. https://t.co/3b9KxUOZHV #WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/7k9Vtx9LhJ— CNN (@CNN) May 14, 2025
“Let me be blunt,” Vance declared. “America’s dealing with enough chaos without adding millions of outsiders flooding our cities. If you’re thinking about coming here, maybe think again.”
The backlash was immediate. FIFA officials expressed “grave concern,” while European diplomats reportedly reached out to the State Department for urgent clarification. “Comments like these undermine the spirit of global unity that the World Cup represents,” said a FIFA spokesperson.
FIFA slams JD Vance’s “think twice” remarks to tourists, calling it “damaging to international goodwill” ahead of World Cup 2026. https://t.co/8Mv9z6WoV4 #Sports pic.twitter.com/KzYZ1GhHuK— BBC News (@BBCWorld) May 14, 2025
Social media erupted with condemnation. A viral post from @PopCrave read, “JD Vance just became the most Googled name in Europe—for all the wrong reasons.” Fans from around the world expressed outrage, with some calling for a boycott or relocation of tournament matches.
“It’s not just a political blunder—it’s a diplomatic disaster,” said political analyst Ana Navarro on CNN. “You cannot scare off international guests when you’re hosting a global event.”
Ana Navarro on JD Vance: “It’s a diplomatic crisis when a sitting US senator threatens international tourists.” https://t.co/m2IR3dOj6k #Politics pic.twitter.com/QuItJSxBhV— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 14, 2025
Vance’s office has since tried to walk back the comments, releasing a statement saying the senator was referring only to “the challenges of large-scale event security,” not issuing a threat. But for many, the damage was already done.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the remarks, saying, “We welcome the world with open arms. The senator’s comments do not reflect this administration’s values or intentions.”
White House distances itself from JD Vance: “We welcome the world. His comments do not represent us.” https://t.co/wd0jX2zTvb #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/NkWRsMKMIa— Reuters (@Reuters) May 14, 2025
Travel agencies are now fielding anxious calls from would-be tourists, and several European soccer federations have reportedly requested emergency meetings with FIFA officials. As the diplomatic fallout grows, many are asking whether Vance’s rhetoric could have real financial and reputational consequences for the US.
With less than a year before the world arrives on American soil, the pressure is on to repair the damage—and reassure millions of fans that the US is still ready to welcome the world with open arms.
