The FIFA World Cup is becoming something of a farce owing to the actions of one of its host countries, the United States of America.

It doesn't come as much of a surprise, in fairness. The direction that the Trump administration has taken on topics relating to immigration, for instance, made it clear that there were going to be issues surrounding the tournament, while the ultra-capitalistic attitude that dominates the US was always going to end up in supporters being price gouged when they get there.

There have been visa issues reported across multiple squads.  Switzerland had the visa authorisation for their star striker Breel Embolo pulled at the last minute, leaving him unable to travel with the rest of the squad.  He was eventually granted authorisation a few days later.

Iraq national team captain and striker Aymen Hussein meanwhile was detained and interrogated for over seven hours before being allowed to enter the country, while the team's official photographer was detained for ten hours and ultimately not allowed entry into the country.

Iran, who's participation in the tournament after the US staged a dramatic missile war against it was in doubt, meanwhile have been forced to set up their training base in Mexico - even though all of their matches are scheduled to take place on US soil.

Visas for the team were significantly delayed, and the team was also told that they need to arrive in and depart from the US on the same day of their scheduled matches.  Several officials were also denied visas outright.

Even officials have faced issues. Omar Artan, Africa's top referee, was set to become the first Somali to referee in a FIFA World Cup - but those hopes and dreams have been scuppered after he was turned away from the country upon arrival in Miami.  Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration as part of a broader immigration crackdown.

Artan has subsequently been dropped from the tournament by FIFA, which said that it was powerless to intervene.

This is all not to mention the price burdens that have been placed on supporters.  Ticket prices, particularly in the US, have soared.  This came to the fore after FIFA decided to use "variable pricing", where the prices of tickets fluctuated based on the demand for them.  Prices skyrocketed, with many games being priced in the thousands of dollars.

But it's not just that: transit costs from the cities out to the stadiums also say astronomical price increases.  A ticket for the 30-minute train journey between New York's Penn Station and the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey usually costs $12.90 both ways, but now it costs $98 - and that's after the prices were adjusted due to supporter backlash.  There were similar stories elsewhere.

By contrast, travel at the FIFA World Cups organised in Qatar and Russia - two places where the hosts were criticised over their human rights and political track records - was provided for free.

These issues have all come up even before a football is kicked in anger.

Politics and money has rendered this FIFA World Cup one of the most talked about editions of the globe-stopping competition - but for entirely the wrong reasons.

Sport is there to unite, not to be a vehicle of politics or a way of gouging money out of supporters.