Adam Sawyer on Building Relevant Football, Welcoming Soccer Fans, and Combining Data and Narrative in Sports

Adam Sawyer, co-founder of Relevant Research, has launched Relevant Football, a platform pairing 2026 Men’s World Cup data with socio-economic information for 48 competing nations. The project arrives as tensions rise over U.S. immigration enforcement, highlighted by the recent barring of Somali referee Omar Artan from entering the United States due to vetting concerns.

Sawyer, a former teacher in Dallas public schools with experience at the United Nations Migration Research Division in Geneva, designed the platform to channel the curiosity the World Cup generates. The site provides data on economics, energy, geography, and demographics for all participating nations.

Why is the 2026 World Cup facing political tension?

The tournament faces friction between the goal of international participation and U.S. immigration policies. Immigrant advocacy organizations have warned of potential rights violations, while groups in Florida expressed specific concerns regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at venues.

According to Sawyer, the barring of referee Omar Artan illustrates a regime that treats foreign nationals as threats by default. This tension exists despite the collaborative nature of the sport, where nearly one in four rostered players for the 2026 tournament were born in a different country than the one they represent.

Did You Know? FIFA has a documented history of awarding tournaments to governments with poor human rights records, including Italy under Mussolini in 1934 and Argentina under the Videla junta in 1978.

How does FIFA’s financial structure impact host cities?

FIFA’s financial interests often diverge from those of local communities. A ProPublica report from April indicates that FIFA stands to earn billions from the event, while host cities may see relatively little return.

Sawyer explains that soccer governance is split into six FIFA conferences. He states that the delegates running these conferences often prioritize financial interests in Zurich over local youth soccer programs.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the “football always wins” dynamic creates a precarious trade-off. While the sport’s ability to foster human connection can override political barriers, it may also inadvertently mask systemic human rights abuses and financial exploitation by governing bodies.

What data shows the impact of the World Cup on immigrants?

The tournament serves as a significant cultural touchstone for non-native residents. A Pew Research poll found that 54% of immigrants in the United States are excited or mostly excited about the World Cup, compared to only 23% of U.S.-born Americans.

Adam Sawyer Under 14 Football 2013

Sawyer cites a personal example from his English class during the 2022 World Cup. He described Spanish-speaking students rooting for a Moroccan classmate as Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach a semifinal.

What may happen as the tournament approaches?

The tension between government enforcement and international celebration is likely to persist. Sawyer suggests that while discussions about ICE and atrocities may be temporarily overshadowed by the games, the event could still facilitate connections across government-constructed barriers.

The Relevant Football platform may serve as a tool to highlight shared global challenges. Sawyer intends for the site to show that nations are grappling with similar issues, including inequality, deforestation, and the transition to renewable energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Relevant Football?
It is a platform that pairs World Cup tournament data with country-level information on demographics, economics, energy, and geography for the 48 competing nations.

Who is Adam Sawyer?
Sawyer is a co-founder of Relevant Research and Relevant Football. His professional background includes teaching in Dallas, working for the UN Migration Research Division, and researching immigration enforcement data.

What was the ProPublica finding regarding the 2026 World Cup?
ProPublica reported in April that FIFA is expected to make billions of dollars, while the host cities will see relatively little financial return.

How should host cities balance international sports diplomacy with domestic enforcement policies?