The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, launching the largest edition in tournament history.
Yet the buildup has been anything but routine, with political tensions, ticket pricing backlash and concerns over player welfare shaping the global conversation ahead of the opening match.
How the tournament took shape
FIFA awarded the 2026 finals in 2018 to the United States, Canada and Mexico during Donald Trump’s first term as U.S. president, defeating Morocco’s bid.
The decision marked the first time three nations were selected to co-host the World Cup, alongside FIFA’s expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.
