U.S. authorities subjected the Uzbekistan national football team and coach Fabio Cannavaro to pat-down searches and sniffer-dog inspections in New York.
The incident highlights growing tensions and criticism regarding the United States' hosting of the 2026 World Cup [2], specifically concerning how participating nations are welcomed at the border.
The security checks occurred on the Monday preceding a friendly match scheduled for June 1, 2026 [1]. The team was stopped at a U.S. border entry point located at Randalls Island in New York [3]. According to reports, the athletes and staff were forced to undergo physical searches and canine inspections before they were permitted to proceed to their destination.
These measures were part of a broader set of security protocols applied to certain nations participating in the upcoming tournament [4]. The incident has drawn attention to the contrast between the celebratory nature of the World Cup and the rigorous security screenings faced by some international delegations.
Uzbekistan entered the 2026 tournament cycle with high ambitions under the leadership of Cannavaro [2]. However, the experience at Randalls Island serves as a point of contention for those monitoring the treatment of foreign athletes entering the country for the sporting event.
While the U.S. government has not issued a specific statement regarding the Uzbekistan team, the event coincides with wider reports of denied visas and invasive searches for other teams preparing for the 2026 event [4].
“Team members were subjected to pat-down searches and sniffer-dog inspections by U.S. authorities”
The targeting of the Uzbekistan national team suggests that U.S. border security is applying heightened scrutiny to specific nationalities regardless of their status as invited athletes. This creates a diplomatic friction point for the 2026 World Cup, as the host nation must balance national security protocols with the international hospitality required for a global tournament.
