Football and politics collide as World Cup kicks off in shadow of war, travel bans
AI Summary
The 2026 World Cup starts with 48 teams competing amid controversies including geopolitical tensions, travel bans, and high ticket prices. These issues reflect the intersection of football with global politics and security challenges affecting the event.
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.