World Cup 2026... Geopolitical tensions and exorbitant ticket prices
- Mbappe becomes all-time top scorer
- Morocco delivered a brilliant performance
- Almiron becomes first player sent off for covering his mouth
- Trump intervenes to lift Balogun’s suspension
- Referees Ortun and Barti barred from entering the United States
Washington, AFP – The 2026 World Cup was weighed down by geopolitical tensions, harsh summer heat, and exorbitant ticket prices. Yet, in the longest tournament featuring 48 national teams over 39 days across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, football triumphed with Spain’s well-deserved victory over Argentina and its legend, Lionel Messi.
Approximately 6.8 million spectators attended 104 matches, witnessing 308 goals across 16 stadiums, the final one being MetLife near New York. There, Spain needed a goal in extra time to justly strip Argentina of its title and add a second star to their jersey, following their first in 2010.
After the expansion of the number of participating teams drew criticism before the tournament began, FIFA deemed it ethically necessary to give more nations a chance.
Among the underdogs, Cape Verde stood out by opening with a goalless draw against Spain, then forcing Argentina into extra time to eliminate them in the Round of 32, a stage introduced for the first time. Meanwhile, Curaçao, with a population of just 185,000, secured a goalless draw against Ecuador.
Egypt, led by veteran star Mohamed Salah, reached the knockout stages for the first time in its history, coming close to a stunning upset against Argentina in the Round of 16. They led 2-0 with just 11 minutes remaining before ultimately succumbing to Messi’s magic.
Morocco delivered a brilliant performance at the start of the tournament before their campaign ended in the quarter-finals against a pragmatic French side. This came less than four years after their historic achievement of becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals.
Beyond Messi, French star Kylian Mbappe emerged as the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, surpassing Messi (“The Flea”) by one goal and becoming the first player to win the Golden Boot twice, also edging out Messi (10-8). Norwegian striker Erling Haaland (7 goals) also shone amid the “Viking” chants and drums.
France, in the final stretch of Didier Deschamps’ tenure, delivered a strong attacking performance before being tamed by Spain in the semi-finals, mirroring England’s heartbreak after squandering their lead against Argentina.
Political circumstances played a role in the tournament, particularly regarding Iran’s participation amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Tehran. Never before has a World Cup host nation been in open conflict with a participating country.
Instead of training in Tucson, Arizona, the Iranian national team moved at the last minute to the border city of Tijuana in Mexico.
The United States also refused to issue entry visas to approximately 12 members of the Iranian delegation, including Football Federation President Mehdi Taj, a former member of the Revolutionary Guard, which Washington designates as a terrorist organization.
Ivorian and Senegalese supporters were unable to accompany their teams due to difficulties obtaining visas, under the very strict immigration policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
This policy even affected key figures in the game, such as Somali referee Otun, who was barred from entering despite holding a valid visa. U.S. officials cited “security screening concerns” for the denial.
Ghana player Thomas Partey, who faces trial in Britain on assault charges, was also denied a visa to enter Canada.
The practice of water breaks did not achieve universal consensus. Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Director of Global Football Development, acknowledged that the governing body would evaluate the implementation of such breaks in the future, following the conclusion of the tournament.
As a result of the new regulations, Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron became the first player in World Cup history to be sent off for covering his mouth while speaking with another player, occurring before the end of the first half of his country’s match against Turkey in San Francisco.
FIFA’s decision to adopt “dynamic pricing” for ticket sales had drawn sharp criticism from fan groups, who described it as a “great betrayal” prior to the tournament’s kickoff. Nevertheless, this did not prevent spectators from spending thousands of dollars to attend the event.
The most contentious issue, however, concerned the host nation, the United States. Donald Trump personally intervened with FIFA President, Swiss national Gianni Infantino, to lift a one-match suspension imposed on American forward Folarin Balogun ahead of the knockout-stage clash against Belgium.
This unprecedented incident turned many neutrals against the US team, and joy spread when Belgium thrashed their opponents 4-1.
Nevertheless, Infantino is expected to leverage the tournament’s success to push for further expansion, with the possibility of hosting the 2030 World Cup finals primarily in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, featuring 64 national teams, now up for discussion.
