5 things you need to know about the FIFA World Cup 2026™

With only a month left until the first match of this summer's World Cup kicks off, there's already plenty to talk about regarding the biggest sporting event on the planet.

(Photo: Getty Images)

From diplomatic tensions to ticket prices and travel costs, the tournament generated hot headlines even before the ball kicked, and that level of interest only increased as we approached the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11th.

To help you understand everything that's happening both on and off the pitch, CNN Sports has compiled five things you need to know.

1. Ticket price

The World Cup is no stranger to controversy, and perhaps the biggest controversy to date has been the cost associated with attending the tournament. Ticket prices have skyrocketed to record highs, making it impossible for many fans across North America to watch their team play.

The cheapest seats for the U.S. opening match against Paraguay on June 12 are now costing over $1,000 each. Ticket prices are even higher for major games, with tickets for the final now costing up to $32,970.

Even President Donald Trump mocked some of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ pricing, telling the New York Post, "Honestly, I wouldn't pay that price either," referring to the four-figure ticket prices for the U.S. national team's games.

(Photo: Getty Images)

If you think those prices are already "dizzying," wait until you see the resale prices. FIFA has created a platform for ticket holders to resell their seats at a price the buyer deems appropriate. The governing body doesn't set the price, but takes 15% from both the buyer and the seller.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets are selling for tens, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. One person who owned a ticket to the final even resold their seat, right behind the stadium, for over $11 million.

And while nobody really expected anyone to buy it at that price, it shows just how out of reach these price points are for most average fans around the world .

FIFA has always defended its ticket pricing structure, asserting that it sold tickets at a starting price of $60 for every match, including the final, with allocations specifically for fans of eligible teams through their respective national federations.

They also stated that, as a non-profit organization, revenue is reinvested directly back into football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently stated at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California: "We have to look at the market. We are in a market where the entertainment industry is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market prices."

"In the US, reselling tickets is also allowed, so if you sell tickets too cheaply, they'll be resold for much more. And in fact, even though some people say our ticket prices are high, they're still resold on the market for even higher prices, more than double our price."

But when you factor in the cost of airfare, travel to the matches, and hotel, this year's tournament is simply not feasible for many people. And prices could rise even higher in the coming month as demand increases.

2. Iran's involvement

Another important story in the preparations for this year's World Cup is the situation in Iran, and how it might affect the country's participation in the tournament.

Immediately after the war began, Iran issued statements that there was no way for its players to travel and participate in matches safely. The situation became even more ambiguous when spokespersons for FIFA, Iran, and the US offered conflicting comments on how things could proceed. In particular, Trump stated that Iran was welcome to the tournament but suggested that playing in the US might not be suitable “for their lives and safety.”

This subsequently led Iranian football president Mehdi Taj to discuss with FIFA the possibility of moving their matches from the US to Mexico. As Iran's participation came into doubt, attention shifted to who could replace Iran, including a bizarre suggestion from one of Trump's advisers to give Italy a spot in the tournament after they failed to qualify.

Finally, with only a month left, Iran's chances of participating in the sporting event now seem very high. Last month, according to the Associated Press, an Iranian government spokesperson said the team was preparing for a "proud and successful participation" in the World Cup and that they would play their matches in the United States.

FIFA has also sought to clarify the situation, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently stating that he believes Iran will participate.

Iran is scheduled to play against New Zealand, Egypt, and Belgium this summer, with two matches held in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. If both the US and Iran finish second in their respective groups, they will meet in the Round of 32 in Dallas on July 3 (local time).

3. Safety concerns

Before discussing the football matches themselves, there are also security concerns at this year's World Cup, based on the political situation in the host countries. For example, after witnessing large-scale raids by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and knowing that the U.S. government is considering scrutinizing travelers' social media activity, some fans have decided that attending the World Cup is not worthwhile.

Other fans may have even fewer options, with Trump's travel ban preventing 39 countries – mostly non-white, African, or Muslim-majority nations – from visiting the country during the World Cup. This includes a complete ban on citizens from Haiti and Iran, and partial restrictions on Senegal and Ivory Coast. However, players, staff, and officials from these participating nations will still be allowed entry.

There are also security concerns surrounding Mexico, which will host 13 matches in three host cities this summer. Anxiety is particularly strong in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, which will host four matches. These concerns stem from the aftermath of a February operation by federal forces to apprehend Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, nicknamed “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). This group is considered one of the “most powerful and brutal criminal organizations” in Mexico, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). “El Mencho” was seriously wounded in the operation and died en route to the hospital. His death triggered chaos and a wave of violence in many areas of Jalisco, including Guadalajara.

There were also protests outside Banorte Stadium in Mexico City after it reopened earlier this year, with demonstrations aimed at raising awareness of the nation's missing persons crisis, as well as the lack of water and affordable housing in Mexico City.

Host nations and FIFA now have a task to complete in the coming month to allay concerns and make attending the matches more attractive.

4. New teams

But there's still much to look forward to, especially on the pitch. Next month will be a momentous one for the teams busy preparing for the start of the season in North America, but perhaps even more so for the four nations making their World Cup debut.

This year, Jordan, Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Uzbekistan will be participating for the first time. Achieving this feat is expected to be easier thanks to the decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams.

All the teams making their debut are in tough but memorable groups, meaning they will face some of the best teams and players in the world. For example, Jordan will face the defending champions Argentina in the final match of Group J, likely to see them clash with Lionel Messi. The Jordan team has steadily built up strength over the past few years, reaching the final of the 2023 Asian Cup before being defeated by Qatar.

Similarly, Uzbekistan is in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. The Uzbekistan team is led by legendary Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro, who lifted the World Cup trophy for his country in 2006.

Meanwhile, Cape Verde will face one of the tournament's title contenders, Spain. The African nation may have been considered the underdog entering the group stage, but they had an excellent qualifying record – with seven wins, two draws, and only one loss.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Curaçao also faces tough challenges in Group E, where they will clash with European giants like Germany. The Caribbean island nation is the smallest country ever to qualify for the finals, with a population of just 156,000. They capitalized on the absence of the US, Canada, and Mexico from the qualifying rounds, while the three host nations automatically secured their places.

5. Notable Players

Many major domestic leagues are still in progress, meaning some of the world's top players are still striving to win titles for their clubs. And, while this is good news for football fans eager to see more dramatic matches, it also means that some players are still at risk of injury ahead of the World Cup. In fact, most of the best players participating in the 2026 World Cup are currently playing in Europe, with the Champions League final on May 30th concluding the European club season.

The main concern right now is Spain's winger Lamine Yamal. The 18-year-old is one of the best players in the world today, and many were excited to see this young talent participate in his first World Cup. However, there are now concerns that he may not be fit enough to start for Spain, after the Barcelona star suffered a hamstring injury last month while playing for his club. He is not expected to return this season, but hopes are that Lamine Yamal will recover in time for the World Cup in June.

However, many players also suffered serious injuries that ended their World Cup dreams. Prominent names like Dutch star Xavi Simons and French striker Hugo Ekitz are just two of those who were not selected.

The US team also suffered a setback due to the injury of forward Patrick Agyemang, who had been hoping to make his World Cup debut this summer. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury last month. He wrote on Instagram at the time: "It's hard to put into words the moment I realized what had happened. You can only imagine what was going through my head at that time."

However, a host of top players will still be present in the tournament, including names like Messi and Ronaldo. Both legends are no longer at the peak of their form, but this will be an opportunity for fans to see them play on the pitch, perhaps for the last time. Let's not forget that Ronaldo has never won the World Cup, so he will do everything to match Messi in this respect.

Source: https://vtv.vn/5-dieu-can-biet-ve-fifa-world-cup-2026-100260518144209745.htm

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