The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across 16 cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Yet, despite an expanded format featuring 48 countries, the run-up to the biggest ever World Cup ever has come with no shortage of problems.
There’s soaring match ticket and transport costs, safety concerns around extreme heat, plus the inescapable fact the US is at war with one of the countries competing - Iran.
Fifa is under investigation over its sky-rocketing ticket fees, while Donald Trump has been accused by human rights organisations of ‘sportswashing’.
Gianni Infantino, Fifa’s President, last month defended the ticket pricing, saying it was reflective of the market rates.
In this episode of the breakdown, we speak to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton to explore the controversy behind the buildup to the World Cup - and what there is to look forward to on the pitch.
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