The 100-day countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins on Tuesday against a backdrop of global uncertainty, with concerns ranging from US-Israeli strikes on Iran to violence in Mexico and questions over Donald Trump’s domestic policies.
A record 48 teams and millions of fans are set to arrive in the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first World Cup shared by three nations.
The tournament kicks off on 11 June at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and concludes nearly six weeks later on 19 July at the 82 500-seater MetLife Stadium outside New York.
A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues and four time zones, with the United States hosting 78 games.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is predicting the tournament will generate record revenues of $11 billion, exceeding the $7 billion earned through the 2022 tournament in Qatar. He cited a global television audience in the billions and more than 508 million requests for some seven million tickets.
“The demand is there. Every match is sold out,” Infantino said earlier this month.
However, fan groups around the world, including Football Supporters Europe, have accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” over ticket pricing. FIFA responded by introducing a limited number of tickets priced at $60 for official supporters groups.
Political concerns
The Trump administration’s domestic and international policies have triggered concerns about the tournament’s operation. Trade disputes with co-hosts Canada and Mexico, tensions with European allies over Greenland, and immigration restrictions that may complicate travel for fans of some participating nations have cast uncertainty over preparations.
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran have provided a recent flashpoint, with Iran’s team due to play its three group games in Los Angeles and Seattle.
“We had a meeting and it is premature to comment in detail, but we will monitor developments around all issues around the world,” FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday.
The Trump administration’s immigration measures have seen enhanced visa restrictions on dozens of countries, including four World Cup qualified nations: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. The White House insists this will not affect tourist visas and fans with tickets can benefit from expedited visa appointments.
In Mexico, the recent killing of one of the country’s most notorious drug lords in a military operation sparked unrest in Guadalajara, the country’s second biggest city, which is hosting four World Cup matches.
Both Infantino and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have given assurances that recent unrest will not disrupt matches.
“Very reassured, everything’s good,” Infantino told AFP at a meeting in Colombia last week when asked how the violence might impact planning.
On the field
The expanded 48-team format means the top two teams from each of the 12 first round groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will qualify for the knockout phase.
Defending champions Argentina will be led by Lionel Messi, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on 24 June during what is almost certainly the last World Cup of his career.
Argentina’s hopes of winning back-to-back titles will face a challenge from 2018 champions France and reigning European champions Spain.
England, coached by Germany’s Thomas Tuchel, will attempt to end the country’s 60-year wait for a major tournament victory.
Teams playing in the World Cup for the first time include Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
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