FIFA World Cup 2026 | 30-day countdown begins amidst political tension and soaring ticket price

A record 48 teams are set to descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first-ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations.

As the 30-day countdown for FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on Monday (May 11), it looks as though football has taken a backseat, with political tension in West Asia, soaring ticket prices and issues over broadcasting rights casting a shadow over the globe's ultimate showpiece event.

A record 48 teams and millions of fans are set to descend on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first-ever World Cup co-hosted by three nations, to be held from June 11 to July 19.

With just a month to go for the kick off, while ideally talks should have centred around jogo bonito and tiki-taka, it is the off-field events — especially the US-Israeli strikes on Iran which is running into its third month — that are making headlines.

With Iran set to play its three group games in Los Angeles and Seattle, the uncertainty over their participation continues, though FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has assured Team Melli's participation in the quadrennial extravaganza.

The cost of tickets for the tournament has triggered a global backlash which has left FIFA and Infantino scrambling to manage the public relations fallout.

Qatar vs US -- a study in contrast

The most expensive ticket for the final in the Qatar 2022 World Cup cost around $1,600 at face value; in 2026 the most expensive face value ticket being sold by FIFA now weighs in at a staggering $32,970!

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will have many firsts to its credit, including the first to feature a record 48 teams.

The expansion is the delivery of a key proposal made by Infantino not long after he became the FIFA chief for the first time 10 years back.

In 2022 the group stage featured 48 games to eliminate 16 teams. This time there will be 72 matches in the first round to filter out the same number.

With more match days and the resultant fatigue, it remains to be seen if the tournament will be able to sustain its mojo.

If the build-up to the Qatar 2022 World Cup was marred by accusations of human right violations, the one to FIFA World Cup 2026 is no different, with political tensions in Donald Trump's America and the war in Iran casting a shadow, though western media has played it down in their own way.

For millions of football fans in India, they are still waiting with bated breath as there is still no clarity as to where they are going to watch it with the broadcast rights yet to be bought.

All said and done, there is plenty to look for in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup which will welcome several nations for the first time, notably Curacao — the smallest country by population to ever play in the tournament — and Cape Verde.

The official theme song, which was was produced with Nigerian artist Burna Boy and teased by Colombian pop idol Shakira is set for official release on May 14.

The tournament kicks off at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca before culminating in the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.

Bring it on! Let the Beautiful Game begin!