Since the end of the Paris Games, attention has focused on Los Angeles where the 2028 Olympics will take place. Halfway through, the United States will co-organize the Football World Cup in 2026. A busy schedule on which the influence will depend of the winner of the American presidential election. The vision of Donald Trump or that of Kamala Harris will resurface on the image of America. An image that these major events will broadcast to the eyes of the world.
United 2026. The joint candidacy of Canada, Mexico and the United States is a landmark in the history of the World Cup: co-organized by three countries, the high mass of football reaches a new level after the two-headed edition of 2002 (led by South Korea and Japan). Welcoming 48 teams instead of 32, unity is the watchword for the North American trio coordinating the global event. For the United States, the notion of unity will have a double reading.
The double game of the World Cup
On the one hand, the World Cup will take place at a unique moment in the history of the United States. During the round of 16 scheduled for July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The opportunity to take stock of a country whose unity is more weakened than ever. The World Cup therefore has a double challenge for Uncle Sam: to present the fruits of continental coordination and to display a spirit of national harmony.
On the other hand, the World Cup will precede the midterms, halftime of American political life. Halfway through his mandate, the American president generally emerges weakened from these congressional elections. But will the “football truce” shake up the vote? Although it is difficult to imagine the Americans winning the Cup, their performance could nevertheless unite the country. A golden opportunity for political forces in Washington to ride the football madness.
Los Angeles 2028, American leadership in the balance
The year 2026 will finally mark another political event in the United States, the municipal elections in Los Angeles. A major challenge for Karen Bass: the mayor is already campaigning to be re-elected at the head of the Californian city. From the increase in homelessness to the opioid crisis, the mayor of the City of Angels must improve the city’s image both for the 2026 municipal elections and for the 2028 Games. The influence of Los Angeles will partly depend of the political record of the elected Democrat.
The Games also have particular resonance for Kamala Harris, former attorney general and senator of California. By winning the election in 2024, Harris would conclude his mandate with a Games organized in his “home state”. A springboard for re-election in 2028 if the Games are successful… like Ronald Reagan. Elected president in 1980, the former governor of California presided over the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In the midst of the Cold War, these highly political Games supported American soft power.
An admirer of Reagan, Donald Trump may want to impose his vision of America through the Olympics. A backward-looking conception which would be the antipodes of the progressivism of Los Angeles. Furthermore, the conflict in Ukraine will have to be taken into account in the preparation of the World Cup and the Games. America is currently at stake for its future influence. An escalation of national discord and a decline of the country on the international stage would reduce the country’s chances of retaining its leadership and seizing the opportunity to unite again.
—–
