Di 2026 FIFA World Cup wey go happen for North America don set record as di biggest and most expensive tournament ever. According to ESPN report, dis one na first time three countries—United States, Canada, and Mexico—go host di World Cup, and e go be first time wey 48 teams dey compete. But di size and cost dey cause plenty wahala.
Ticket prices don reach level wey never happen before. Some tickets for di final dey sell for up to $40,000, and di local authorities don start investigation into whether fans dey cheated by FIFA new ticketing platform. Even di host country president reportedly tok say, ‘I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.’
Immigration and visa issues dey serious. There be civil protests, violent targeting of foreigners, and increased phone searches for visitors. Four of di participating nations get severe entry restrictions. Travel worries plenty because airline prices don increase due to gas, and di aviation infrastructure dey suffer from staffing shortages and bad weather.
Di Iran situation dey add to di drama. Iran wey qualify for di World Cup dey consider whether to play because dem dey attacked by one of di host countries. A former Iran soccer federation official tell ESPN say, ‘To play a World Cup is their dream. But not like this.’
FIFA President Gianni Infantino don dey praise divisive leaders like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, and di tournament dey face criticism for human rights concerns. But di benefits of hosting for North America dey clear: no white elephant stadiums, booze dey available, and lodging dey everywhere, though expensive. Transportation dey mixed—some cities like Philadelphia get free subway, but New York dey charge fans $100 for a short train ride.
FIFA dey project a record budget of nearly $14 billion for di next four-year cycle, with much of di money go to soccer initiatives worldwide. Di tournament go run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with di final for New York New Jersey Stadium. All 104 matches go dey on FOX and FS1, plus streaming for FOX Sports apps.
Despite di challenges, di World Cup promise to be captivating, with stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lamine Yamal. Di games go start on Thursday at Estadio Azteca for Mexico City.
