Controversies Surrounding the 2026 World Cup

2026 World Cup Controversies Raise Concerns Before the Tournament
Just months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the organization of the tournament is facing several controversies related to security, politics, and financing in the host countries.

Although excitement for the sporting event remains high, much of the coverage leading up to the tournament has focused on concerns off the field.

World Cups are often surrounded by political, economic, and social controversies, and the 2026 World Cup controversies appear to follow the same pattern.

Security and Logistics Concerns in 2026 World Cup Host Countries

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Concerns about fan safety in Mexico prompted Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, to speak with Claudia Sheinbaum to strengthen security measures ahead of the tournament.

Questions have also emerged regarding the condition of Estadio Banorte, the stadium that hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986 and is currently undergoing renovations.

In Monterrey, a playoff match scheduled for late March also faces uncertainty after the Iraq national football team requested a postponement of its games due to visa and transportation difficulties traveling to the Americas.

Political Tensions in the United States and International Impact

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The political situation in the United States has also raised concerns connected to the 2026 World Cup controversies.

Protests reported in Minneapolis earlier this year led to violent clashes, fueling debate about the broader social environment in the country that will host most of the tournament’s matches.

In addition, U.S. military operations in Iran have had indirect repercussions in the football landscape, as Iran’s national team could potentially be excluded from the tournament.

At the same time, some host cities such as Boston and New York City have reported budget challenges related to financing the organization of matches and World Cup-related events.

Controversial History of Recent World Cups

2026 World Cup controversies – PHOTO: Shutterstock

The 2026 World Cup controversies are not unprecedented.

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the selection of the host nation generated accusations of corruption during the voting process.

A report prepared by Michael Garcia indicated that Qatar pushed conduct rules “to their limit.” Later investigations and publications also mentioned alleged multimillion-dollar offers linked to television rights before the vote that determined the host country.

The tournament was also marked by criticism over the working conditions of migrant laborers involved in building stadiums and infrastructure.

Protests and Issues During Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018

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The 2014 FIFA World Cup was also surrounded by protests related to public spending used to organize the event.

The estimated cost of preparing the country was widely criticized as a significant burden for the Brazilian government.

During preparations, demonstrations occurred in several cities, alongside construction delays and workplace accidents that led to worker deaths.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup also faced international criticism following the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, which led some politicians to call for Russia to lose its hosting rights.

The selection process was also investigated as part of the corruption scandal known as FIFA corruption case.

The 2026 World Cup May Ultimately Be Remembered for the Football

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Despite these issues, the recent history of the World Cup shows that many of these controversies fade into the background once the tournament begins.

The organization of the 2026 FIFA World Cup—which will be shared for the first time by three countries—faces political, economic, and logistical challenges.

However, as has happened in previous editions, it is likely that the final memory of the tournament will be shaped mainly by what happens on the field.

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