Insecure World Cup creates extra stress for Dutch national team: 'That will get into their heads'

The Oranje squad comfortably qualified for the World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Kansas City is set to be the base for Ronald Koeman's team. While America has been a popular tourist destination in recent years, a sense of both domestic and international insecurity has prevailed since Donald Trump's presidency.

The unstable situation in the US could also affect the players, especially as the tournament draws nearer, Miedema believes. "Should I or shouldn't I have my family come over?" the Oranje forward ponders on behalf of the internationals in her column in the Algemeen Dagblad. "That brings quite a bit of stress. Normally, heading into a tournament like this, you'd always think: 'Wow, a World Cup, it's amazing to be a part of it!' I don't feel that way this time, with everything happening in the world."

Trump and his administration bombed Iran at the end of February, and since then, war has raged in the Middle East. The situation there is so precarious that Formula 1 races in neighboring countries have already been canceled, and Iraq faced immense difficulties getting its players to Mexico for the successful play-offs for the very last World Cup ticket. Not only that, but unrest is also widespread within America itself. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is acting harshly and ruthlessly in cities, apprehending, detaining, and potentially deporting undocumented migrants. This has led to shocking scenes of police officers shooting protesting citizens.

Furthermore, it remains uncertain if, and how many, fans from all 47 countries will come to the United States, or even be welcome. President Trump and his administration have placed numerous countries on a red list, making obtaining a visa prohibitively expensive or impossible. Even for players, no exception has been made yet. Iran has already boycotted the United States and threatens to skip the World Cup.

And even if everyone were welcome and it turned into one big football celebration, the fears of an attack or assault in the country during the World Cup still loom.