The World Cup has never been free of politics, yet this year’s event may be in a league of its own.

Part of the tension comes from the relations between the three host nations. Since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, he has levied tariffs on both the U.S. and Canada as part of his broader trade war. 

And then there is the ongoing Gulf war.

This is the first time that a World Cup host nation has been actively at war with a participating nation. 

KAN's Mark Weiss spoke with Dr Ofir Muktar , a senior criminology lecturer at the Ashkelon Academic College.

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