FIFA Reacts to Ticket Prices, Visa Controversies as 2026 World Cup Begins Today

The largest FIFA World Cup ever staged gets underway on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico and South Africa open a tournament that will bring together 48 national teams across North America over the next six weeks.

ADVERTISE HERE:
[email protected]

The competition, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, marks a new chapter in international football. 

With an expanded format and matches spread across multiple cities, organizers expect unprecedented commercial success and global viewership before the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey.

However, excitement surrounding the tournament has been accompanied by controversy. FIFA has faced criticism over the high cost of match tickets, with some premium seats reportedly reaching tens of thousands of dollars. 

Questions have also emerged over visa restrictions that have affected certain officials, referees and supporters hoping to attend the event.

Speaking ahead of the opening match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the governing body's pricing strategy. 

He argued that entry-level tickets remained accessible compared with major sporting events in North America and insisted that overall pricing reflected market demand.

“We have worked to provide options for different categories of fans,” Infantino said. “While premium experiences carry higher prices, affordable tickets have also been made available for supporters who want to be part of the tournament.”

The FIFA chief also addressed concerns surrounding immigration-related issues that have overshadowed preparations. 

One of the most notable cases involved a Somali referee who was denied entry into the United States, effectively ruling him out of participating in the competition.

Infantino acknowledged the setback but emphasized that FIFA does not have direct control over national immigration decisions.

“Every international tournament presents logistical challenges,” he said. 

“Our responsibility is to work with governments and stakeholders to find solutions wherever possible.”

Attention has also focused on Iran's participation amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States. 

Despite concerns raised in recent months, the Iranian national team successfully secured its place in the tournament.

According to Infantino, ensuring that all qualified nations could compete remained one of FIFA’s key objectives. 

He described the inclusion of every eligible team as evidence that football can continue to unite people despite political disagreements.

Meanwhile, Infantino praised the support of U.S. President Donald Trump, saying cooperation from the American administration played an important role in preparations for the tournament. 

Trump later indicated that he intends to attend selected matches during the competition.

On the pitch, anticipation is building for the opening clash at the historic Estadio Azteca, a stadium renowned for hosting two previous World Cup finals. 

South Africa coach Hugo Broos said his players must remain focused despite the challenge of facing the host nation in front of a packed crowd.

“We know the atmosphere will be intense,” Broos said. “The key is to stay disciplined, trust our game plan and avoid being distracted by the occasion.”

Mexico, meanwhile, will be looking to make history by winning a World Cup opening match for the first time. Head coach Javier Aguirre described the statistic as extra motivation for his squad ahead of the curtain-raiser.

Elsewhere, South Korea will face the Czech Republic later on the opening day as the tournament schedule gathers momentum.

Pre-tournament betting markets have installed Spain, France and England among the leading contenders for the title. 

Defending champions Argentina will once again rely heavily on veteran captain Lionel Messi, who at 38 remains central to the team's ambitions of reaching another World Cup final.

With football’s biggest stars preparing to take center stage, the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins amid a mix of excitement, scrutiny and enormous expectations, setting the stage for what organizers hope will be a landmark tournament in the sport’s history.