The Fifa World Cup represents the pinnacle of the world’s most popular game.
For decades, the tournament has been marketed as a month-long spectacle in which borders dissolve and billions of people gather - be it in front of the television set, or a cafe, pub, or at the stadium itself - to witness who will lift its most coveted prize.
And even though the World Cup has almost always been a playground for the rich and famous, this year's tournament - running from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico - feels a little different.
The tournament - with three countries hosting, 48 countries competing, and promised to be the biggest the world has ever known - continues to be overshadowed by eye-watering ticket prices, tightening border controls, travel restrictions, and growing authoritarianism in the US.
The uncertainty around travel and ticketing costs, combined with a volatile domestic environment, has left fans and followers feeling somewhat disheartened.
