The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally kicks off on Thursday, ending months of pre-tournament noise with action on the pitch. But the buildup has been anything but smooth, as Yahoo Sports reports the event has been "riddled with controversy" ranging from unprecedented wars and exorbitant ticket prices to allegations that FIFA president Gianni Infantino is selling football's soul, compounded by Donald Trump's push for what critics call a "Maga World Cup."
As the United States prepares to co-host this massive global event, logistical pressures are mounting. Yahoo Sports also highlights "gridlock alert days" and a furious scramble for tickets, raising doubts about whether the country can handle the strain of hosting what many consider the world's biggest sporting spectacle.
On the field, all eyes turn to England, a team that has not won a World Cup in 60 years. Sky Sports' analysis series "Between the Lines" dives into the numbers, asking whether the stats suggest England can finally end that drought and lift the trophy.
The tournament's expanded format and political entanglements have fueled skepticism among purists, yet the sheer scale of the event—with matches across North America—promises to draw a global audience. For the host cities, the challenge is balancing celebration with security and infrastructure demands.
"The football will ultimately do the talking," ESPN notes, though the early narrative is already crowded with off-field narratives. Whether the sport can transcend the noise remains the central question as the opening whistle approaches.