For the next 39 days, 104 matches will be played throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada until a World Cup winner is crowned on 19 July. Amid the excitement around the world’s biggest sporting event, there has also been intense controversy and scrutiny. Ticket prices, transport costs, climate threats, and security concerns have left fans with mixed emotions.
A Controversial Host
“The US of Donald Trump is tonally different to any host of a major sporting event that has preceded it: a country that actively wants you to see the darkness in its heart, the inhumanity at its core, that gets off on your revulsion,” writes Guardian columnist Jonathan Liew. But ultimately who takes the blame? FIFA, argues Jonathan.
The Omar Artan Scandal
Opinion: how the Omar Artan scandal reveals Gianni Infantino for what he is: one of sport’s greatest cowards.
- Ticket prices have skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for many fans.
- Transport costs are a major concern, with many matches spread across three countries.
- Climate threats, including extreme heat in some venues, pose risks to players and spectators.
- Security concerns are heightened due to the political climate and past incidents.
Explore more on these topics: World Cup 2026, FIFA.
