The wait for the biggest thing is over world cup So far, 48 teams 104 games, Many questions and controversies swirl around a highly scrutinized event that will involve three host nations and last for two years. Almost 6 weeks.
The tournament begins Thursday in Mexico City. Soaring ticket prices and political tension. Sometimes it’s unprecedented Logistics challenges The event will be held in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
All of this is separate from the on-field drama that will see soccer’s top stars battle it out for the sport’s biggest prize, leading up to the final on July 19th.
“This will be the biggest, most comprehensive and best FIFA World Cup in history,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino declared, predicting 7 million fans would fill the stadiums and more than 6 billion more watching from afar. “FIFA is the official provider of happiness to humanity.”
That remains to be seen. The tournament opens in the United States, which will host the majority of matches, amid rising inflation, the Iran war and the Trump administration. Immigration policy.
Political soccer (soccer)
President Trump is a big supporter of the World Cup being held in the United States. Has hosted Infantino repeatedly. At the White House, he spoke in glowing terms about the tournament. Mr. Infantino made every effort to strengthen these relationships and awarded Mr. Trump the presidency. FIFA Peace Prize Last year, he was removed from the Nobel Prize nominations.
There’s also a golden Club World Cup trophy created by Tiffany that was placed in the Oval Office after the United States hosted the tournament last year. President Trump said in an interview with broadcaster DAZN that he asked FIFA when he would receive the trophy. He said, “You can keep it in the Oval Office forever. We’re making something new.”
Six months have passed since officials from the German Football Federation announced that the time had come to consider the creation of a federation. world cup boycott Because of President Trump’s actions, threaten to take over Greenland. That was before the US and Israel launched military attacks on Iran, leading to soaring oil prices and destabilizing the Middle East.
Questions also arose about Iran’s participation in the World Cup. the team has moved training base From Tuscon, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, he arrived just a week before the game due to visa issues. wearing a lapel pin focus on the victims of deadly missile attack Elementary school at the beginning of the war.
“Monumental Betrayal”
FIFA intervened Fierce criticism over ticket prices Strategies for this World Cup that were already under consideration expensive trip.
When tickets went on sale to the general public in January, prices ranged from $140 to $8,680. Since then, some have become available at lower prices, while others have increased significantly in price. Finals up to $32,970. Fans accused the governing body of a “grave betrayal”.
Resale prices on secondary markets are even higher, with four tickets to the finals sold for just under that on FIFA’s own resale market in April. $2.3 million each. FIFA does not control prices on the site, but takes a 30% commission on each resale. Parking for games can cost up to $175, and fans have been appalled by the rise in train fares. For example, in New Jersey, the price increased from $12.90 to $98..
Infantino defended ticket prices and said demand was comparable. “1000 years of World Cups at once”adding that all 104 games will be sold out.
However, a recent IPSOS poll found that only 26% of Americans said they were “at least somewhat excited” about the World Cup, and 7% said they were “very or very excited.”
Meanwhile, most of the 11 U.S. host cities had fewer room reservations than expected. According to the April survey According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
It’s going to get bigger
A super large-scale tournament spanning three countries, FIFA’s latest World Cup experiment Only time will tell if it works. For some, expanding the format from 32 to 48 teams and making room for first-time teams like tiny Curaçao and Cape Verde will seem to dilute the quality of the event.
Much of the danger of the group stage was effectively removed, and the elite teams were largely separated. This means the real drama could be held off until the round of 16.
“There has to be a balance between making sure the World Cup is a true national tournament and that it is a soccer tournament that determines the best teams in the world,” said Jonathan Wilson, author of The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup.
It’s going to be hot
One thing FIFA cannot be blamed for is rising temperatures and Extreme heat could affect athletes, fans, workers and officials During the match. Some sites (Kansas City and Atlanta are not exempt, but Dallas and Houston, Texas, for example) “Feelable” temperature Above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
Safety measures were taken, including hydration breaks for players, and FIFA ultimately decided to change the rules. Water bottle policy The tournament will be held at 16 stadiums across North America, including stadiums with limited sun shade.
goats, underdogs, and everything in between
When it comes to the World Cup, soccer ultimately takes center stage, and there are many potential storylines ahead.
Does Lionel Messi have one? last great act What will be his final bow at the World Cup and on this stage at the age of 38?
Will Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, be able to claim the only major trophy that has eluded him during his record-breaking career?
Record five-time champions Brazil are looking to win their first title in more than 20 years and have turned to iconic Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti to end the drought.
England have faith in German Thomas Tuchel as they seek closure 60 years of scars.
And how about US, Will Argentina national team coach Mauricio Pochettino lead the team? Can they pull off the biggest upset in World Cup history on their home turf?
“If you go into a tournament thinking, ‘Oh, there’s no chance we’re going to win,’ what’s the point in playing? What’s the point in playing?” U.S. captain Tim Ream told The Associated Press. “He (Pochettino) is not shy to talk about it when we are together… ‘Why not us? Why not us?'”
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James Robson is https://x.com/James Saran Robson
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
