FIFA World Cup 2026 Enters Final Countdown, Host Nations Ramp Up Preparations
With a month left before the FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico City, preparations across the three host nations have entered the final phase, with organisers focusing on stadium readiness, security arrangements and player fitness ahead of squad announcements.
The June 11-July 19 tournament will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and will be played across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Infrastructure work continues at several venues. At Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, temporary facilities used for this month’s Formula One Grand Prix are being dismantled to meet FIFA requirements. In New Jersey, workers are laying a temporary grass surface over MetLife Stadium’s artificial turf.
Renovation work is also ongoing at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, which is set to host the opening match on June 11. The stadium’s refurbishment has faced delays and legal disputes, particularly over luxury box access rights, although organisers maintain it will be ready on time.
Mexico City International Airport is also undergoing redevelopment ahead of the tournament, with officials saying last month that work was around 70 per cent complete.
Ticket pricing has emerged as a major talking point in the build-up to the tournament. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the prices after resale listings for the final in New Jersey crossed two million U.S. dollars on FIFA’s official resale platform.
“If somebody buys a ticket for the final for two million dollars, I will personally bring him a hot dog and a Coke,” Infantino said earlier this month.
He added that the resale prices did not reflect FIFA’s original pricing structure and argued that the rates were comparable to those seen at other major sporting events in the United States.
Security planning has also intensified across the host nations. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said nearly 100,000 security personnel would be deployed across Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey during the tournament.
Canada, meanwhile, announced additional funding in April for policing, border management and emergency coordination in host cities. Authorities said up to 145 million Canadian dollars would be allocated for security operations.
In the United States, federal agencies continue preparations through a White House task force formed specifically for the tournament.
Iran’s participation has also drawn attention amid concerns regarding entry requirements for some players and officials. The Iranian football federation said it had sought assurances from the United States, Canada and Mexico regarding visas, security and the treatment of players and national symbols.
Iran has been drawn in Group G and will begin its campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium and Egypt later in the group stage.
Teams are also closely monitoring injuries ahead of FIFA’s June 2 deadline for final squad submissions.
Brazil have been hit by several injury setbacks, with defender Eder Militao and forward Rodrygo ruled out due to knee injuries, while goalkeeper Alisson Becker remains doubtful because of a recurring hamstring problem.
Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, is still working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff that has kept him out of the national team since October 2023.
France forward Hugo Ekitike and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons are also set to miss the tournament because of injuries.
However, Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah are expected to recover in time, while France captain Kylian Mbappe has already resumed training after a muscle injury.
