Overview
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins Thursday, June 11, opens at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca and will run through the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Organizers have finalized 48-team rosters and implemented IFAB-approved changes plus expanded VAR and mandated hydration breaks to manage the tournament’s scale and player safety.
- State consumer probes and subpoenas are active over FIFA’s pricing and authorized resale marketplace after extreme face values and secondary‑market listings drew fan backlash and regulatory scrutiny.
- Visa and accreditation frictions have disrupted team logistics, with Iran relocating its training base from Tucson to Tijuana because of visa concerns and diplomatic sensitivities.
- Host cities and MLS clubs are staging dozens of sanctioned fan fests and partner events to broaden access, but some locales are charging for premium entry or trimming days to control costs and crowding.