A month to go, World Cup unease lingers

Just a month left before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, but as anticipation builds for football’s grandest stage, anxiety is proving an equally dominant emotion.

Despite FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisting it is “very difficult to find something negative” about the upcoming tournament, the buildup to the 23rd edition of the World Cup has been clouded by soaring ticket prices, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation.

A record 48 teams and millions of fans are set to descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first-ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations. The expanded, six-week spectacle will kick off at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca on June 11 before culminating in the July 19 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Yet even before a ball has been kicked, the tournament risks being overshadowed by growing concerns over accessibility and security.

Infantino insists the pre-tournament unease is overblown, dismissing the tide of downbeat headlines as "negative press."

Many fans, however, may disagree.

‘Extortionate’ ticket prices

The sharp rise in ticket prices has sparked perhaps the biggest backlash of the tournament’s buildup, with many supporters fearing they are being priced out of football’s biggest celebration.

Fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has condemned FIFA’s pricing structure as “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal,” with tickets for some marquee matches soaring far beyond the reach of ordinary fans.

The most expensive ticket for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar cost around $1,600 at face value. For the 2026 final, FIFA’s top-priced ticket now stands at a staggering $32,970.

Infantino has defended the pricing, pointing to the commercial realities of hosting the tournament in the United States.

“We have to look at the market – we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates,” he said.

FIFA says demand remains unprecedented, reporting more than 500 million ticket requests -- ten times the combined total for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

Yet despite claims of overwhelming demand, seats for several matches, including the United States’ opening game against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, remain available on resale platforms.

Even US President Donald Trump appeared stunned by the prices.

“I did not know that number,” Trump told the New York Post after learning tickets for the USA-Paraguay clash were selling for around $1,000. “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”

War and uncertainty

Beyond ticket concerns, geopolitical tensions have added another layer of unease.

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has cast doubt over what should be one of football’s most unifying occasions, with questions raised over security and logistics ahead of the tournament.

Iran, however, remains set to participate, with Infantino insisting the team will play all three of its group-stage matches in the United States as scheduled.

FIFA will hope those anxieties fade once the action begins and football takes center stage.

With defending champions Argentina led by Lionel Messi among the favourites alongside Spain, France and England, and debutants such as Curacao and Cape Verde ready for history, the promise of another unforgettable World Cup remains intact.

But as the final countdown begins, excitement is sharing the stage with apprehension -- and FIFA’s biggest challenge may be ensuring the world can focus solely on football.