The 2026 edition, the first hosted by three countries, begins this Thursday with the game between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca. FIFA, under the command of Gianni Infantino, describes the tournament as the biggest and most inclusive in history. The event brings together 48 teams and 104 matches distributed between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Criticism comes from many sides. Ticket prices, immigration policies and the context of conflict between the United States and Iran dominate off-field discussions. The tournament promises financial records, but also faces questions about accessibility and neutrality.
Tickets generate complaints from fans and investigations
The organizers promised affordable prices during the candidacy. The final had a scheduled ceiling of US$1,550 in 2018. In practice, the most expensive tickets for the decisive game reached US$8,680 in the initial sale to official fan clubs. The dynamic pricing strategy, which varies according to demand, provoked a negative reaction.
FIFA released cheaper US$60 lots after pressure. Even so, resale platforms recorded inflated values. Authorities in New York and New Jersey opened an investigation into alleged artificial price inflation. Thousands of tickets for minor national team games still appear below face value on official and secondary websites.
- Fans complain about difficulty purchasing affordable tickets
- Official resale charges 30% fee
- Transport prices to stadiums also temporarily increased
- Initial ban on reusable water bottles sparked new debate
The measure on bottles was reversed after criticism related to health on days of intense heat.
Geopolitical context affects national team participation
The tournament takes place as the United States and Iran maintain tensions following military actions. The Iranian national team moved its training base from Arizona to Mexico. Visa restrictions and staffing limitations complicated preparation. The Iranian federation reported revocation of ticket allocation for fans.
FIFA must ban Iran’s pre-revolutionary flag in stadiums. The team’s first games in Los Angeles take on an additional political tone due to the local Persian community. Other teams, such as Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast, face partial or full travel restrictions for fans.
The case of Somali referee Omar Artan illustrates the difficulties. He was removed from the officer roster after being denied entry into the United States. Analysts point out that more than a quarter of the 48 participating teams deal with migration barriers or high visa rejection rates.
Unprecedented scale brings logistical and financial challenges
No other World Cup has featured 48 teams and three host countries. The expanded format is expected to generate record revenue of around US$9 billion for FIFA this year alone. Part of the resources will be redistributed to national associations.
Critics question whether the financial gain is worth the problems. Existing stadiums reduce construction costs, but operating and security expenses increase. In Mexico, protests by teachers and the toppling of statues of players reflect local social tensions.
High temperatures in several stadiums worry scientists. The initial decision on water bottles was seen as a health risk for fans. FIFA retreated after demonstrations by groups of supporters and politicians.
Preparations reveal division between expectation and reality
Surveys indicate that many Americans consider the event too expensive for the average public. Hotel bookings were lower than expected in several host cities. English fans, for example, are expected to attend some games in smaller numbers than initially projected.
JT Batson, chief executive of US Soccer, highlighted the potential to boost football in the United States. The country hosted the tournament in 1994 and today has consolidated professional leagues. Still, the current climate mixes excitement with reservations.
At Estadio Azteca, Mexico seeks to repeat historic moments. The stadium will host the opening of a third World Cup, an unprecedented feat. The match against South Africa marks the official start of the competition.
The tournament’s legacy still generates uncertainty
FIFA emphasizes the unifying nature of the event. Gianni Infantino repeated that this is the greatest spectacle of humanity. In practice, debates about excessive commercialization and political interference accompany the preparations until the final minutes.
Fans and analysts monitor how teams will deal with the off-field environment while playing games. The 2026 World Cup promises spectacle within the four lines, but external issues define much of the pre-debut narrative.