One topic that cannot be ignored is the different political situations in New Jersey, New York, and Texas. In short, the two countries could not be more ideologically different and at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Texas is much more conservative, and New Jersey and New York are on the far left.
One of the biggest political tensions between New York and Texas in recent months has been the ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Political tensions reached a fever pitch when Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott began busing migrants to New York and other cities, angering Democratic officials. From December to early January, about 1,000 immigrants passed through New Jersey on their way to New York City to circumvent the city’s new rules, according to a report in the New Jersey Monitor, and Gov. Phil Murphy announced last week and other Democratic governors called on President Joe Biden to make the request. To solve this “humanitarian crisis”.
There are also differences on gun reform, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ rights. New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. Texas became the largest state to ban nearly all abortions after the 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade. There’s also the issue of LGBTQ+ rights, with the Human Rights Campaign saying Texas was responsible for more than 20% of the more than 500 anti-LGTBQ+ bills nationwide last year.
While these issues may seem distant from football, human rights issues will be widely discussed and reported during the Qatar 2022 Men’s World Cup, and as global investment in football continues to grow. It continues to be a controversial topic.
Will these issues be a deal breaker for FIFA? Probably not, but they will certainly be on the table if Dallas makes it to the finals, which would draw the world’s attention. We’re going to get together.