10 FIFA World Cup 2026 Controversies EXPLAINED

10 FIFA World Cup 2026 Controversies EXPLAINED

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re explaining the biggest scandals involving the 2026 edition of international football’s premier tournament, the FIFA World Cup, which is taking place in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.

Climate Concerns

Due to safety concerns for the players at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the tournament, which is usually played from June to July, was moved to November and December. The issues with playing in the US summer were highlighted when the country hosted the 2025 Club World Cup, as temperatures reached 97 degrees Fahrenheit, or 36 degrees Celsius. In 2025, an article by Queen's University Belfast predicted that nearly 90% of US stadiums could face dangerous levels of heat for the players. To combat this, FIFA is planning to introduce hydration breaks. Another environmental aspect is the massive carbon footprint. Scientists for Global Responsibility calculated the 2026 edition could produce the most carbon dioxide in the tournament’s history.

Fan Travel

With the 2026 edition being held across three countries, the US, Canada, and Mexico, there’s a lot more traveling for fans. As such, the costs are significantly higher. In 2026, the BBC calculated the accommodation, meals, and travel fees for England and Scotland fans. Put together with a family of four in mind, for the English, the cost could be as high as £22,000, nearly $30,000. For Scots, it could be over £25,000, or around $34,000. Another outrage is the increase in local transport costs. A train from New York City to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium during the tournament is as much as $150, with no reduction for concessions, and a shuttle bus is priced at $80.

Mexico Concerns

With three Mexican cities hosting 13 World Cup matches, the country is a vital part of the tournament. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the mistreatment of workers improving and building stadiums was a major scandal. So, it didn’t help in 2025 when FIFA was accused by the Building and Wood Workers' International trade union of blocking an inspection of employee conditions at Mexico's Estadio Azteca. Further issues arose in 2026 when violence erupted following the death of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, AKA “El Mencho.” While there were calls to replace Mexico as a host nation, FIFA downplayed the concerns. In 2026, Mexico announced that 100,000 security personnel would be deployed to keep people safe during the tournament.

The Super Bowl World Cup

For Americans, the Super Bowl's halftime show is a vital part of the event. For football fans, halftime is for getting beverages and snacks. However, in 2024, FIFA announced the World Cup final would have a halftime show for the first time in its history. On top of criticism that the football authority is attempting to Americanize the sport, there are concerns by experts that it could severely affect players’ recovery time and flow of the match. To combat this, FIFA plans for the show to last 15 minutes, not the typical 30 minutes for the Super Bowl. Regardless of the time, this implementation has led to accusations that FIFA is focusing more on financial gain rather than the sport it represents.

The Pride Match

To promote the LGBTQIA+ community, it was determined that there would be a “Pride Match” during the 2026 World Cup, which was to be organized by Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee. Following the release of the schedule, it was determined that the game labeled as the “Pride Match” would be Egypt versus Iran in their Group G bout. Both nations have laws against homosexuality, some of which can result in fatal punishments. In response to this news, officials in Egypt and Iran publicly expressed their objections to the match, with the former sending a letter to FIFA formally protesting against the “Pride Match.” In response, Seattle’s Pride Match Advisory Committee called for FIFA to continue with the plans to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

Angering Player Unions

In 2017, FIFA announced the 2026 World Cup would be expanded from 32 nations to 48, increasing the overall matches from 64 to 80 with three-nation groups. However, when FIFA went with four-nation groups, increasing the matches to 104, player unions were critical of adding more games to an already congested schedule. An increase in matches has been connected to a rise in serious injuries to players, especially when a substantial season break is disrupted by international and club tournaments. In 2025, following news that FIFA planned to increase participating nations at the 2030 edition to 64 and fixture congestion from the Club World Cup, the organization agreed to meet with player unions. However, FIFPRO wasn’t invited and accused FIFA of meeting with “fake” unions.

The Iran Issue

During the 2025 to 2026 protests, several Iranian athletes and footballers were killed, leading to calls for FIFA to ban the country from the tournament, as well as criticism against the footballing authority for remaining silent. Following the start of the 2026 Iran War, there was further controversy in letting them compete at the tournament, as Iran and the US, one of the hosts, were on opposite sides. This was exacerbated by US President Donald Trump advising Iran to not go for “their own life and safety.” His administration reportedly contacted FIFA to request that Iran be replaced with Italy, which failed to qualify for the World Cup. Recently, Trump rolled back his hesitation after FIFA president Gianni Infantino rejected replacing Iran.

Ticket Issues

As soon as the tickets went live online, there were problems as the system was glitchy. Yet, somehow, it only got worse for supporters. The biggest issue has been the cost, as FIFA implemented a dynamic pricing system, charging more for higher demand games. In 2022, final tickets were priced around $1600. For 2026, it was nearly $11,000. FIFA also implemented an official ticket reselling site. However, tickets for the final were being sold for an eyewatering $2.3 million, with FIFA getting 30% of sales. Other issues have included complaints that fans were misled over their seating choice and that companions for disabled supporters have struggled to get tickets or have been unable to be seated near each other.

Not Everyone is Welcome

Usually, the World Cup is a chance to broaden one’s horizons and enjoy cultures from nations other than one’s own. Yet the 2026 edition, especially with the US being the major host, has been criticized by activists for its hostility to several countries. In 2025, the US implemented a travel ban for nationals from Haiti and Iran, while the Ivory Coast and Senegal faced restrictions. While the government issued an exemption for athletes, staff, and immediate families, both for the World Cup and the Olympics, this still left unrelated supporters facing visa issues when entering the US. There’s also been international concern from the media and human rights groups that the US’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, AKA ICE, could cause problems for supporters.

FIFA’s Relationship with Donald Trump

FIFA’s rules state that the organization should be politically impartial. However, Infantino has been accused of breaking this with his relationship with Trump. In 2025, he awarded Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, claiming he significantly contributed to world peace. The decision was heavily criticized, especially following the US’s actions with Venezuela and Greenland, and led to accusations of corruption. Infantino has defended the decision, claiming Trump “objectively” deserved it. Infantino’s relationship with the US president has also drawn outrage from UEFA, Europe's football authority. In 2025, he was late to the FIFA Congress because he was accompanying Trump on his Gulf Trip. This three-hour delay sparked UEFA representatives to walk out in protest and publicly criticize Infantino’s private politics.

Is the 2026 World Cup going to be the most controversial in FIFA’s history or was another tournament more scandalous? Let us know below!