The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on June 11 across 16 cities in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
A tournament wrapped in trade wars
The backdrop to this tournament includes ongoing US tariffs that have strained relationships with both Mexico and Canada. The potential renegotiation of the USMCA trade agreement, the trilateral deal that governs North American commerce, has added another layer of uncertainty to an already tense dynamic.
Comments about Canada potentially becoming the “51st state” haven’t exactly fostered the warm, collaborative spirit that FIFA envisioned when it awarded the tournament to the three-nation bid.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca underwent a renovation costing nearly $200 million, expanding its capacity to 87,500 spectators.
