FLASH NEWS
50 days from the World Cup, 5 points that raise major doubts in the host countries of the event
2026-04-23 08:31:30 / SPORT
With less than 50 days left until the start of the World Cup, FIFA and the host nations are facing harsh criticism over the social, political and logistical issues surrounding the tournament.
Canada and Mexico will co-host the event with the United States, which, along with Israel, launched a military conflict against World Cup participant Iran on February 28. Although a temporary and fragile ceasefire has been reached, Iran's participation remains uncertain.
Fans in all three host countries are also reacting strongly to high ticket prices, while local politicians and the public have expressed concerns about unjustified increases in transportation fares connecting stadiums in the US. Al Jazeera Sport provides an overview of the main concerns ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
The big dilemma: Will Iran participate?
The Iranian national team is continuing preparations, but officials have announced that the final decision on participation will be made by the government and the National Security Council, after reviewing the players' safety on American soil.
Iran said last month it could pull out, especially if the host country does not guarantee the team's safety. The reaction came after a social media post by President Donald Trump suggested that the Iranian team's safety could not be fully guaranteed in the United States, where Iran is expected to play all of its group matches. The Iranian federation asked FIFA to move the matches to Mexico, but the request was rejected. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week that Iran "must be present" at the tournament.
Chaos with transportation prices in the US
Fans are expected to pay nearly 12 times the normal fare of $12.90 for a round-trip train ride from Penn Station (Manhattan) to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the grand finale will be played.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA have been at odds over the $150 fare for a 15-minute trip. While Sherrill has demanded that FIFA cover the costs, FIFA has said it has no such obligation. A similar situation is occurring in Boston, where a trip to Gillette Stadium costs four times more than usual. On the other hand, cities such as Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia have pledged to keep fares current and affordable.
High fees and fear of raids
The pricing policy has caused outrage, with tickets ranging from $140 to a staggering $10,990 for the final. Although the initial bid promised tickets starting at $21, the reality is that the cheapest tickets cost $60, while most of them exceed $200.
Another flashpoint is international fans' fear of possible raids by immigration agencies (ICE and CBP). Following the Trump administration's policies of mass deportations, Infantino has been asked to push for a temporary moratorium during the tournament so that fans don't feel at risk.
Security alarm in Mexico
Recently, violence in Mexico has raised alarm after a tragic attack in Teotihuacan, where a Canadian tourist was killed and 13 others were injured. The incident has called into question the security protocols of the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has promised to strengthen measures to guarantee the smooth running of the tournament.
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