The 2026 World Cup is set to begin with a record number of teams. However, the tournament is overshadowed by issues including ticket prices, geopolitical tensions, and visa restrictions.

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday with a record 48 teams vying for the most coveted prize in football and a slew of controversies over ticket prices, geopolitical tensions and visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration casting a pall over the beautiful game’s quadrennial extravaganza.