The FIFA World Cup, as always, is the most highly anticipated tournament of the year. The whole world turns to Mexico, the USA, and Canada this year to see the action in the most watched sport event of all time. The build up for the tournament has been nothing short of electric, but not without its controversies.

Pre-tournament qualifiers have already shown the World Cup magic we all love; unexpected results. Several countries have qualified for the first time, including Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. All four teams successfully qualified through strong group performances, even small countries like Cape Verde, with a population of approximately 529,600, or Curaçao, at around 185,000. However, not every country has a reason to celebrate. Italy was knocked out in a 1-1 penalty shootout against Bosnia and Herzegovina, making it the country’s third consecutive knockout, something very disappointing to the four-time champions, but very exciting for Bosnian fans. Another country that won’t be attending is Poland, which lost 3-2 to Sweden in a playoff final, and now is the likely end of legendary striker Robert Lewandowski’s international career entirely. The game was heartbreaking, leading Lewandowski to post on instagram using the song “Time to Say Goodbye” as fans and polish supporters alike mourn the opportunity to see him play one more World Cup. Denmark and Nigeria also failed to qualify. 

Another shock was Brazil’s lineup for pre-tournament friendlies, missing the famous Neymar Jr., who has been a staple and icon playing for the national team, even bringing them their first Olympic gold medal in 2016 by making the last penalty against Germany. Popular since his debut at FC Barcelona in 2013, he is widely considered a football great, “The Prince who never became King”, referring to his legendary skill, but lack of awards. The 2026 World Cup was considered a “last dance” for him, his last big international tournament before his inevitable retirement, had he been called up. However, to the world’s shock (and for some, outrage), he is not currently in the Brazil National Team lineup, though there still is a chance things could change. A recent 1-2 loss to France was blamed by social media for his absence from the squad. With the official tournament starting in June, there still is a chance he could be called up, as the manager affirms, he will be if he can get back to full form. 

The 2026 edition has been one many anticipate with a certain mourning, knowing that it’ll be the last World Cup of a generation of absolute legends. Players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modrić, Kevin De Bruyne all are expected to play their last World Cup this summer. Messi is a returning champion with Argentina, while Cristano Ronaldo has a chip in his shoulder to progress far with Portugal as fans continue to argue over which one of them should be considered the greatest football player of all time. Messi recently played his last international match in his home country, leaving the field in tears as team Argentina continued to prepare to defend their trophy. Modrić and De Bruyne are also greats in their own right, but less likely to win, as neither Croatia or Belgium (De Bruyne), are expected to have a shot at the trophy. Robert Lewandowski, was knocked out with Poland in qualifiers, so his last World Cup is already completed, to the disparage of many fans. Either way, international football waves its goodbye to legends and expects a finale worth watching. 

The World Cup also brings excitement to award nominations, mainly the Ballon d’Or for players at the highest level in Europe. The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious award a singular player can earn in a year, and the World Cup is very relevant to who wins. The tournament often is a deciding factor in who wins, and could be the perfect resume addition for this year’s hopefuls. Lamine Yamal, with his second place ranking last year, is a definite challenger, though his club team FC Barcelona was recently eliminated from the Champions League. He also has a new hamstring injury, but if he can get back to full health in time, he could take his team far. A successful World Cup run could be just what he needs to show his excellence. Another rumored challenger is Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, though he finished 7th in last year’s rankings. He is a Important part of their attack, and also of the French national team, which has been declared a “nightmare” for other teams to face, and one of the favorites for the tournament, having narrowly lost a repeat victory by penalties in 2022. In 13th place in 2025, Harry Kane is also noted by publications such as The Athletic as a front runner, especially if his team, England, does well this summer. Other notable contenders include Haaland (Norway), Raphina, Vinicius Junior (Brazil), Declan Rice (England), Vitinha (Portugal), and Ousmane Dembélé, last year’s winner. A good run in the tournament could really turn the tides for anyone.

France, Spain, England, Brazil, and Argentina are all teams favored to win the Cup, but Germany and Portugal are also in the running from several source’s predictions. France has been deemed a “super team”, with jokes circulating that even their B team can beat well established teams. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Rayan Cherki (Man City/Lyon), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) lead the attack, all players that are considered very talented. Recently, French forward Hugo Ekitike has ruptured his achilles tendon and won’t be able to play in the tournament, but, it shouldn’t affect the teams performance majorly. 

Spain also might have a great chance at the trophy. Spanish club FC Barcelona has a very well known academy system (La Masia), that has and continues to support young Spanish talent, as well as famous players like Lionel Messi. La Masia recently moved many of its young stars to the first team to make up for financial difficulties, and many of them are considered stars and future greats. Since the support for local talent is so strong, the Spanish team is well stocked with amazing players such as Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Fermín López, with FC Barcelona also supplying players such as Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Joan García. The club has recently been eliminated in the Champions League, however, but are still leading La Liga, their country’s cup. Generally, when FC Barcelona does well, so does the Spanish national team. Coming in with a Euro’s win and a squad of successful players that play together during the club season is a recipe for success. 

Brazil and England aren’t unfamiliar with advancing far in the World Cup, though Brazil’s 1-2 loss to France was very discouraging to fans. During the game, winger Raphina got injured, Neymar Jr. was absent, and coupled with Vini Jr’s recent performances for club and country, it would take a lot for them to win the entire tournament. England is always a challenger, and as the creators of the sport, fans love to say “it’s coming home”. However, after losing in the Euro final to Spain, players had a lot to say about a lack of teamwork. Jude Bellingham, specifically, was cited by teammates to display “soloist” and “arrogant” behavior, and that he “thinks he is a superstar”, despite being a major part of the team’s midfield. However, he is quoted in an interview saying that he felt like a scapegoat during the tournament, so stories are conflicting. The English national team might be football’s home, but it seems unlikely that this is the year they’ll win.

With the World Cup taking place in North America, many international attendees fear for their safety, with the USA’s increasing border security and Mexico’s recent cartel-fueled chaos. ICE detention and deportation is also a real danger for traveling fans going to the USA. ICE’s Acting Director Todd Lyons stated in February 2026 that the agency would be involved in security for the tournament, meaning international fans are facing uncertainty when going to games. Groups including the ACLU and Amnesty International have issued travel advisories warning people about increased enforcement activity and potential risks to visitors. Both South and Central North American countries have built football into their culture, and now that the tournament is close, it should be an amazing chance for fans to witness live international football. However, if they can’t get into the USA safely, or are at risk of detention by ICE officers waiting at stadiums, it ruins the enjoyment for everyone. Additionally, Mexico has had very violent cartel action in recent months after a joint operation by the American and Mexican military to assassinate El Mencho, the leader of the CJNG cartel. A power struggle occurred after, along with road blocks, airport invasions and general cartel response to their leader’s death. News has slowed, but there is no telling if something else could set it off again during the World Cup that could cause harm to visiting fans. 

Ticket prices are also at egregious levels as stadiums attempt to sell out to influencers and celebrities instead of the common fan for more media attention. Currently, ticket prices are out of reach for casual or lower-class fans, and coupled with hiked up transportation prices in cities surrounding stadiums, the general public opinion is that the USA sees the tournament as more of a money-grab than a prestigious event. A group stage ticket would cost from $60–$100 to over $1,000 per ticket, and taking friends or family to see a match is just too expensive for the average supporter. Another barrier is found in the costs of transportation to the match, hotels, and everything you need to travel. The sport seems to be shifting away from its true, working-class fans, and towards ticket sales that will result in media promotion. Football has always been a sport accessible to everyone, from makeshift balls kicked by kids in small towns into goalposts marked with shoes, to the highest level. The World Cup is supposed to unite the entire world, not just the upper class, so restrictions and barriers to the average fan, or borders that won’t allow people of color to cross ruin the point of the entire tournament. 

Fans are one of the most relevant parts of any professional sport, and recently people are unhappy with the inclusion of a half-time show during the final. Many international fans find that it’s too close to the Super Bowl, and that the usual American flair is something that should not be involved in the World Cup. Additionally, the inclusion of “cooling breaks” during the halves is something unusual, and some fans have the opinion they are not needed. However, many times before the World Cup has adapted to the cultural norms of a country when it’s played there, so it might be more exemplary to the bias against American soccer. European football is considered more prestigious, compared to the US’s professional leagues, so many european fans feel that american culture as a whole, but mostly the soccer part, should stay out of international competition. 

Though this World Cup is already somewhat controversial, it is still going to be an amazing event to keep up with, and a chance to see some of the greats have their last dance with international glory. Though some of the conditions in the host countries are risky, and prices are high, this will be a World Cup to remember. New young stars to older legends, the World Cup will, as always, be filled with drama and incredible football. We’ll all tune in for the first game on June 11th, and see where this competition takes us.