Overview
- The expanded 48‑team World Cup opens June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico with a record schedule of roughly 104 matches over 39 days.
- A nighttime shooting in Kansas City left nine people wounded near Swope Soccer Village and prompted extra police patrols, with authorities saying there is no proven link to England’s team which was not in the city at the time.
- The United States denied visas to at least a dozen members of Iran’s delegation, forcing Iran to base in Mexico and restrict its time at U.S. venues for matches and training.
- National teams completed final friendlies in recent days, with notable wins for Ecuador, Colombia, the Netherlands and France as squads finalise preparations and manage late fitness concerns.
- Organisers face broader criticism over ticket prices, local security planning, player welfare and FIFA’s revenue handling even as high‑profile fan events such as the Empire State Building exhibition ramp up public engagement.