President Donald Trump just slammed the brakes on a bold plan to scrap the U.S. visa waiver program, a move that could have kneecapped tourism during the 2026 World Cup, as the Daily Mail reports.

At the heart of this White House showdown, Stephen Miller, a known security hardliner within the administration, pushed to end the visa waiver system, only to be overruled by Trump, chief of staff Susie Wiles, and State Department officials who prioritized economic gains and diplomatic ties over tightened borders.

Miller’s proposal aimed to ditch the visa waiver program, which lets citizens from about 40 allied nations enter the U.S. for tourism or business without a full visa, relying instead on the streamlined online ESTA system.

World Cup stakes drive policy clash

This isn’t just about paperwork -- it’s about cold, hard cash, with over 18 million travelers spending an estimated $84 billion in 2023 under this program.

Ending it would have forced millions of visitors into a grueling full visa process, complete with interviews and strict approvals, potentially costing billions in lost tourism revenue and sparking a diplomatic nightmare.

The timing couldn’t be worse, with the 2026 World Cup set to bring millions of international fans to U.S. soil for 104 matches across June and July, featuring an expanded roster of 48 teams.

Economic gains Trump security concerns

Countries like Australia, Japan, Brazil, and Argentina are already qualified, and most fans from visa waiver nations would use ESTA, while players and coaches often travel on special sports visas.

Even teams from nations on the U.S. travel ban list, such as Iran, get exemptions for athletes and close relatives -- but not for fans, who’d face a brick wall without the waiver program.

The White House saw the writing on the wall: axing the program now would be a self-inflicted wound to both the economy and America’s global image.

Internal tensions come to a head

“You can't pull something like that when you're expecting a surge in tourism dollars,” a White House source told the Daily Mail, and frankly, it’s hard to argue with that logic when billions are on the line.

Let’s be real -- slamming the door on international visitors during a global event isn’t just bad optics, it’s a punch to the gut for businesses counting on those tourist dollars.

Another insider didn’t mince words either: “When you are about to make all that money from foreigners… it’s just a bad look and it doesn’t work,” a State Department source told the Daily Mail, noting opposition from both Trump and Wiles.

Balancing security with economic priorities

While Miller’s focus on security isn’t without merit -- especially with the State Department reviewing 55 million visa holders for threats and overstays -- his plan overlooks the reality that visa waiver travelers overstay at a rate of less than half a percent, far below traditional visa holders.

Meanwhile, the administration isn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat elsewhere, with new restrictions on international student visas capping academic tenure at four years and broader immigration policies tightening the screws.

Still, with the World Cup looming, the State Department is ramping up embassy staffing to handle the travel surge, and whether Miller’s idea is dead or just delayed until after the final whistle on July 19, 2026, remains anyone’s guess.