Football’s Biggest Tournament Begins As Off-Field Issues Threaten To Overshadow The Action
The wait is finally over. After years of planning, billions of dollars in investment, and unprecedented expansion, the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially kicks off in Mexico today, marking the start of the largest tournament in football history.
The opening ceremony will take place in Mexico City before hosts Mexico face South Africa in the tournament opener. While the focus should be on football, the build-up to the competition has been dominated by immigration concerns, soaring ticket prices, geopolitical tensions, and growing criticism of FIFA’s commercial policies.
The 2026 edition is historic for multiple reasons. Mexico becomes the first nation to host matches in three separate World Cups after staging the tournament in 1970 and 1986. This time, however, it shares hosting duties with the United States and Canada as FIFA expands the competition from 32 teams to 48 nations and from 64 matches to a record 104 games.
Why FIFA World Cup 2026 Is The Biggest Ever
The expanded format introduces 48 participating countries, 16 host cities, and 104 matches spread across three nations over 39 days.
The United States will host 78 matches, including every game from the Round of 16 onwards, while Mexico and Canada will each host 13 fixtures.
FIFA expects the tournament to generate nearly $11 billion in revenue through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, hospitality packages, and commercial partnerships, making it the most lucrative World Cup ever staged.
The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Immigration And Visa Issues Cast A Shadow
Even before the first ball has been kicked, the tournament has faced criticism over immigration and visa-related issues.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was reportedly denied entry into the United States despite receiving a FIFA appointment. Reports also emerged of Iraqi players and support staff facing extended questioning upon arrival, while Iranian officials raised concerns regarding visa delays for members of their delegation.
The controversies have intensified scrutiny on the United States, which is hosting the majority of the tournament’s matches while simultaneously dealing with ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, one of the participating nations.
The incidents have sparked debate over whether host countries are doing enough to ensure smooth access for players, officials, and supporters.
Ticket Prices Trigger Fan Backlash
Another major controversy surrounding the tournament has been ticket affordability.
Group-stage tickets initially started at around $140, while standard seats for the final climbed to as much as $8,680. Premium hospitality packages reportedly reached $73,200, with some premium final tickets later priced above $30,000.
Supporters’ groups and consumer advocates have criticised FIFA’s dynamic pricing model, arguing that football’s biggest event is increasingly becoming inaccessible for ordinary fans.
The debate became so significant that FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly defended the pricing strategy, arguing that higher official prices prevent secondary market operators and ticket scalpers from capturing the majority of profits.
Indian Fans Prepare For Sleepless Nights
For football fans in India, the World Cup will bring a month of late-night viewing.
Due to the tournament being hosted across multiple North American time zones, most matches will begin between midnight and early morning Indian Standard Time.
The opening match between Mexico and South Africa is scheduled to begin at 12:30 AM IST on Friday, while many knockout-stage fixtures will also be played during overnight hours.
Despite the challenging schedule, India remains one of the world’s largest football audiences, with millions expected to follow the tournament throughout the month.
Can Football Reclaim The Spotlight?
While FIFA hopes the focus will soon shift to the action on the pitch, the tournament begins carrying more off-field baggage than any World Cup in recent memory.
From immigration disputes and political tensions to record-breaking ticket prices and fan protests, the 2026 World Cup arrives amid intense scrutiny.
Over the next month, football will once again dominate global conversations. New stars will emerge, historic rivalries will be renewed, and one nation will eventually lift the trophy in New Jersey.
The question now is whether the football itself can reclaim centre stage from the controversies that have defined the tournament’s build-up.
