Fans of Senegal will find it difficult to follow their team to the World Cup in the USA – Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto/picture alliance
The 2026 World Cup has come under fire even before kickoff. Criticism is mounting over US President Donald Trump’s travel bans, high ticket prices, the expansion to 48 teams as well as its environmental impact.
The 2026 men’s World Cup will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. It will be the biggest World Cup of all time with 48 teams. Lionel Messi’s Argentina are the defending champions.
1. Isn’t football’s governing body FIFA supposed to be politically neutral?
In the months leading up to the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino got unusually cozy with US President Donald Trump.
This included sitting on a stage wearing a red USA baseball cap during the president’s Board of Peace meeting, and presenting Trump with the newly created “FIFA Peace Prize” during the World Cup draw.
According to its own statutes, FIFA is supposed to be politically neutral. However, Infantino has created the impression that he is deliberately mixing international sports politics with the interests of a state.
The fact that the United States is at war with Iran is a first; never before has a World Cup host nation been engaged in a military conflict with one of the participating teams.
2. Shouldn’t all fans be able to attend their team’s games?
US entry regulations are also drawing sharp criticism. Tightened visa rules mean fans from several participating nations are effectively barred from attending. For Iran and Haiti, a complete entry ban applies to spectators — only the teams and their support staff are allowed to enter the country.
US President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino have been seeing a lot of each other – Image: CNP/ADM/Capital Pictures/picture alliance
It will also be virtually impossible for fans from Senegal and the Ivory Coast to attend games, as the issuing of tourist visas for citizens of these nations has been largely suspended — partly because, in the past, many travelers from these countries overstayed their visas in the US. At one point, the US government had introduced a security deposit of up to $15,000 (€12,874) for visitors from some countries — a sum they were to be reimbursed after their departure. This measure was lifted for many ticket holders shortly before the tournament began.
US immigration policies and the possibility of operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are fueling a sense of unease. In the run-up to the event, the US government declined to rule out the possibility of checks or arrests in the vicinity of World Cup stadiums.
3. Should a ticket for a World Cup game really cost $690,000?
Ticket prices at the start of sales were exceptionally high; many seats went on sale for thousands of dollars each, while premium tickets for the final originally cost around $11,000.
FIFA is using “dynamic pricing,” under which prices fluctuate significantly depending on demand. Even within the same sales phase, fans are paying different amounts for identical seats.
Added to this are reports that buyers, despite selecting a specific category or location within the stadium, have received tickets for inferior seats. Fan organizations and consumer protection groups accuse FIFA of price gouging, a lack of transparency, and unfair sales practices and have filed a formal complaint with the European Union. The attorneys general of the US states of New Jersey and New York have launched investigations into FIFA’s ticketing.
With just weeks to go before the opening game, very few matches had sold out. As of May 28, the cheapest ticket for the final available on FIFA’s website was listed at $8,625. A seat in wheelchair areas was going for a minimum of $10,350. The very last available seat — located in the front row of a section near one of the corner flags — was listed for $690,000.
In addition to official ticket sales, FIFA operates its own resale platform, taking a 30% cut of every transaction. Critics argue that many fans have been priced out of the tournament.
Germany failed to make it to the knockout phase of the last two World Cups, but with 48 teams, this time it should be easier – Image: Frank Hoermann/Sven Simon/IMAGO
4. Shouldn’t only the best teams compete at the World Cup?
This World Cup will feature 48 teams instead of 32. As a result, the number of matches will increase from 64 to 104. Experts and many fans fear this could dilute the sporting quality of the tournament.
At the same time, advancing to the knockout stage has become easier, as not only the top two finishers from each of the 12 preliminary groups will qualify, but also the eight best third-placed teams. Due to the number of teams, a round of 32 has been added.
Some observers view this reform as a politically motivated decision: smaller football associations — whose votes carry significant weight within FIFA — stand to benefit most from the allocation of additional spots. This raises the question of Infantino’s motives for pushing through this expansion. Was it primarily to consolidate his power base within the football’s global governing body?
5. Wasn’t this tournament meant to be sustainable and climate-friendly?
Although FIFA has publicly championed the causes of sustainability and climate protection, the 2026 World Cup is facing heavy criticism due to its environmental impact. Studies estimate that the tournament will generate more than nine million tons of carbon dioxide, primarily due to the distances between host cities and the high volume of air travel involved. Environmental organizations have labeled this event potentially the “most climate-damaging World Cup” in history.
The problem persists at the local level as well. Many stadiums are located in the suburbs and in some cases there is little or no public transportation available. Where public transportation is available, some prices have skyrocketed; a short train ride to MetLife Stadium from New York was originally set to cost up to $150 (compared to the standard fare of around $13). Following protests from fans, the organizers eventually lowered the price to $98. The shuttle bus service is now scheduled to cost $20, down from the previously proposed $80. Those driving to the stadium face high parking costs at many venues, ranging from $75 to $300, depending on the game. At least at stadiums with expensive parking, there is usually an affordable public transit alternative.
Critics say all this means that despite FIFA’s climate pledges, many fans will be forced to undertake environmentally harmful — and expensive journeys.
DW.com/NAN 10-06-26
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