Published on 6/20/2026
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Last update: 22:10 (Mecca time)
The American website The Hill says that with the start of the first week of the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the scene was not limited to sports competitions inside the green rectangle, but rather extended to reflect deep political, economic and cultural interactions, which made the tournament a global event that goes beyond football towards more complex files.
The author of the report, Dominic Mastrangelo, observed five things, which he explained as follows:
First: Football and politics are at the forefront of the scene
The first days of the tournament witnessed a clear emergence of political dimensions, as it coincided with sensitive international developments, including negotiations related to the administration of US President Donald Trump with Iran. The Iranian national team also found itself at the center of controversy, not only because of its participation in the tournament, but also as a result of travel and movement restrictions, as it was forced to leave the United States after its first matches without sufficient recovery periods, with reports of its training in Mexico.
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These developments were accompanied by protests outside some Iranian matches, in addition to criticism related to regulatory processes related to tickets and fan attendance, at a time when official bodies confirm that work is underway to ensure fan attendance within legal frameworks.
Second: Immigration and security impose their presence inside the stadiums
US immigration and security policies sparked controversy during the tournament, with some Immigration and Customs Enforcement procedures being implemented near the stadiums, and some individuals being denied entry for security reasons related to ongoing investigations. On the other hand, the US administration confirms that attending matches is available to those who enter the country legally, and that the measures do not target fans.
A number of fans of foreign teams also faced difficulties in obtaining visas, in conjunction with a significant increase in ticket prices, which limited the ability of large audiences to attend live.
Third: An unprecedented economic and advertising boom
The 2026 edition of the World Cup is considered one of the most profitable editions in the history of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), with huge advertising investments flowing from global brands such as Nike, Adidas and Anheuser-Busch.
The US national team’s matches recorded record viewership, especially the opening match, which exceeded 27 million viewers. The tournament also hosts a large number of matches inside American football stadiums, reflecting the increasing integration between sports and commercial markets in the United States.
Fourth: The controversy over pauses and their impact on performance
This year, FIFA introduced pauses designated for drinking water, due to the high temperatures in some host cities. Although the decision was justified by health considerations, it sparked widespread controversy about its impact on the system of play and the possibility of being exploited tactically by coaches to rearrange their ranks.
The controversy also extended to television broadcasts, after criticism was directed at the duration of advertisements during stops, which led to viewers missing some crucial moments of the matches.
Fifth: Football is increasing its popularity in the United States
Indicators point to an unprecedented growth in the popularity of soccer within the United States, supported by the legacy of the 1994 World Cup, and the expansion of Major League Soccer to 30 teams with a market value exceeding $23 billion.
In light of this momentum, the 2026 edition is expected to be the most watched via digital broadcast in the history of the tournament, which reinforces the global shift towards online sports consumption.
