World Cup set for kickoff after high ticket prices,
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin in North America, featuring 48 teams across the US, Mexico, and Canada. While the event is expected to generate record revenue, it faces criticism over high ticket prices and travel restrictions caused by US immigration policies.
Why it matters
As the largest World Cup in history, it serves as a major global economic and cultural event, though it is currently overshadowed by geopolitical tensions and accessibility concerns.
_________________ MEXICO CITY - The World Cup kicks off Thursday with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching a sprawling tournament of 48 teams that will last nearly six weeks. The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19. It is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue, but football's world governing body FIFA has faced stinging criticism over the eye-watering costs of tickets, while Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans refused entry to the United States. FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds a press conference in Mexico City on June 10, 2026.( The Yomiuri Shimbun ) (Photo by Takuya Yoshino / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP)
The article reports on both the scale of the event and the controversies surrounding it without taking a definitive stance.
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