Football Celebration Under the Shadow of Trump
Football Celebration Under the Shadow of Trump
According to IranGate News Agency, with only a few months left until the start of the world’s biggest football event, FIFA’s promises about the global hosting of the 2026 World Cup have come into conflict with the political and social realities of the United States. This tournament, which is set to feature an unprecedented 48 teams and be held across three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—is overshadowed by domestic insecurities, migration crises, and political tensions.
Special Report: Everything About the 2026 World Cup, from FIFA’s Promises to Hosting Challenges in the USA
An Introduction to the World’s Biggest Football Tournament
On the eve of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly emphasized the slogan of global welcome to this event.
He previously stated, ‘We welcome the world’ and expressed optimism about the United States hosting, saying, ‘We are bringing the world to America. People around the world love the United States, even if some say otherwise.’
However, as the competitions draw closer, serious doubts have been raised about the readiness and comprehensive acceptance of guests on American soil. These doubts stem from political developments, increased violence, and strict immigration policies.
Key Information About the 2026 World Cup
Time and Venue
For the first time in history, the 2026 World Cup will be jointly held in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament will start on June 11, 2026, with the opening match in Mexico City and conclude with the final on July 19 in New Jersey, USA.
This edition will feature 48 teams and be conducted in a new format consisting of 12 groups of four teams each. The addition of a knockout stage with 32 teams has extended the tournament duration to 39 days, setting a record in World Cup history.
Host Cities
A total of 16 cities across the three host countries will host the tournament. The United States will have 11 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Mexico will have 3 cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Canada will have 2 cities: Toronto and Vancouver.
Draw and Ticket Sales
Draw Date
The group stage draw will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. This ceremony will begin at 17:00 GMT, 20:30 Iran time.
Ticket Sales and Prices
Ticket sales began in early October, and so far, over 45 million people have registered for the ticket purchase draw. Tickets are offered in four different price categories. Ticket prices are as follows: the first match held in the USA ranges from $560 to $2235, the final match from $2030 to $6000, and group match tickets in some less significant cities are around $60.
The sales system will include several stages, including the initial October 2025 draw, a second registration round from October 27 to 31, a draw after group determination following December 5, and a last-minute sales phase.
FIFA uses a Dynamic Pricing model, meaning ticket prices may increase based on demand. Additionally, an option called Guaranteed Ticket Purchase is offered, which comes with a significantly higher cost.
Teams Qualified So Far
So far, 28 teams, including Iran, have secured their participation in the tournament. The qualified countries are: Hosts: USA, Canada, Mexico; Asia: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Uzbekistan; Europe: England; Africa: Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Tunisia, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Algeria, South Africa, Cape Verde; South America: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Paraguay; Oceania: New Zealand.
Among the qualified teams, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde have reached the World Cup for the first time in history. Suriname and Curaçao are still striving to secure a spot.
Political Challenges in the United States, the Main Host of the Matches
The United States will host 78 out of the total 104 matches, including the final.
However, the political climate in the country faces serious challenges: increased domestic violence with reports of over 500 mass shootings in 2024, the deployment of National Guard forces to Democrat-led cities at Donald Trump’s order, increased deportations of illegal immigrants through the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Trump’s threat to relocate some matches from cities he considers unsafe.
Additionally, in March, Trump made controversial statements claiming that trade and political tensions with Canada and Mexico were beneficial for the tournament, following the imposition of tariffs on imports from both countries.
Weather Concerns for Players and Fans
The heat in the United States, especially in the southern and western states, is one of the main concerns for holding this summer event. Last summer, during the Club World Cup, temperatures in some matches reached around 40 degrees Celsius, which drew criticism from coaches and players.
To mitigate the impact of the heat, FIFA has scheduled match times to focus on cooler evening hours. The proposed match timings in UK time are: 17:00, 20:30 Iran time; 20:00, 23:30 Iran time; 23:00, 02:30 Iran time; 02:00, 05:30 Iran time.
While FIFA and organizers emphasize the global scale and grandeur of the 2026 World Cup, some political, security, and weather factors may overshadow the experience for fans and teams in America.
Nevertheless, this tournament promises to be one of the most unique World Cup editions in football history, not only in terms of the number of teams but also in terms of hosting geography and unprecedented political conditions.
