Record 48-team tournament begins across the United States, Canada and Mexico as ticket prices, politics and global tensions dominate pre-event discussions.
Image: CNN
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on Thursday, bringing together a record 48 teams and millions of fans across the United States, Canada and Mexico for the largest tournament in football history.
The competition opens at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico will face South Africa. The tournament will run for nearly six weeks before concluding at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Much of the attention will focus on football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who could be playing in their final World Cup campaigns. Meanwhile, England, led by Harry Kane, will aim to end a 60-year wait for major international success.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described the event as the biggest football spectacle ever staged. However, preparations have been overshadowed by concerns over soaring ticket prices, political tensions and international conflicts.
Fans have criticised the sharp increase in ticket costs, with premium final tickets reaching unprecedented levels. The issue has sparked debate over affordability and accessibility for supporters.
Questions have also emerged regarding the political climate in the United States. Human rights groups have expressed concerns about immigration policies, public demonstrations and press freedoms during the tournament.
Additional controversy arose after Somali referee Omar Artan was reportedly unable to enter the United States, leading FIFA to remove him from the tournament’s referee list.
Geopolitical tensions involving Iran have also drawn attention. Iranian officials have criticised visa restrictions affecting some members of their World Cup delegation, while the national team has relocated its training base to Tijuana.
On the sporting side, the expanded format will increase the number of matches and teams. Thirty-two nations will advance to the knockout stage, creating a longer and more complex tournament structure.
Several innovations will debut during the competition, including cooling breaks to address extreme weather conditions and new rules designed to reduce time-wasting and strengthen anti-racism measures.
The final will also feature a Super Bowl-style halftime show, with performances by Madonna, Shakira and BTS, extending the halftime interval beyond the traditional 15 minutes.
Despite the challenges surrounding the event, the World Cup remains the most anticipated tournament in global football, promising weeks of competition, drama and unforgettable moments.
