World Cup, dark clouds

AFTER a four-year wait, football fans around the world are finally set to witness the greatest show on Earth — the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The entire world is preparing to be swept up in football fever with Jamaicans no exception, even though the Reggae Boyz missed what many believe was a glorious opportunity to be part of the big show.

This year’s edition is not merely a tournament; it is the biggest and most diverse football festival in history. For the first time, a record 48 teams will participate, replacing the traditional 32-team format. As a result, the number of matches has increased to 104.

The expansion has also enabled nations such as Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan to make their World Cup débuts.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino brushed off criticism over World Cup visa issues and sky-high ticket prices on Wednesday in a defiant eve-of-tournament press conference.

Speaking in Mexico City ahead of the World Cup’s opening game at the Estadio Azteca, Infantino launched a spirited defence of the organisation of the 48-team extravaganza being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The World Cup trophy is pictured during a press conference of FIFA President Gianni Infantino on the eve of the opening match of the 2026 World Cup football tournament at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP)

Infantino and FIFA have come in for stinging criticism over the eye-watering costs of World Cup tickets while United States President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials, and fans refused entry to the US.

Infantino insisted that tickets to the tournament — which in some cases have topped US$30,000 — had been priced appropriately, citing a small number of US$60 tickets that were made available in response to criticism.

“Let me just say that our entry price, which is $60, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said. “Our average price which is below US$500 is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”

Infantino also played down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States after arriving in Miami last Saturday following security concerns raised by US immigration authorities.

FIFA has since confirmed Artan, who the US State Department later said had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisation”, will play no part in the tournament.

The FIFA leader also portrayed Iran’s participation at the World Cup in the midst of its military conflict with the US as a victory for his organisation.

In Washington, on Wednesday, Trump confirmed he plans to attend some World Cup matches, without providing details.

Meanwhile, concerns were rising that today’s opener between hosts Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City could be disrupted by social unrest. On Tuesday Protesters blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca although lines of police prevented the demonstrators from reaching the stadium.

Thousands took part in the demonstration following a week of action that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a “provocation”. Sheinbaum insisted Wednesday that “everything is under control” for the curtain-raiser.

The spectre of Mother Nature disrupting the tournament also reared up on Wednesday, with England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Costa Rica delayed after a thunderstorm hit Orlando, Florida.

Torrential rain and lightning flashes forced the kick-off in the game to be delayed, echoing the problems that marred last year’s Club World Cup, where several games were disrupted by weather.

With most teams now already arrived in North America, minnows Haiti were embroiled in controversy just days ahead of their opener against Scotland after being forced to change their kit design. Haiti were ordered to find another kit after it emerged the team’s shirts depicted the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s Independence, violating FIFA rules.