Sports and politics collide as World Cup prepares for kickoff

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Friday, with the opening match taking place in Mexico City’s legendary Azteca stadium. Amid controversy over FIFA’s President has defended its handling of visa issues experienced by teams and referees ahead of the tournament. Of the three host nations, Mexico is by far the most football-obsessed - but there’s been controversy over ticket prices and concerns about security.The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Friday, with the opening match taking place in Mexico City’s legendary Azteca stadium.Amid controversy over FIFA’s President has defended its handling of visa issues experienced by teams and referees ahead of the tournament.Of the three host nations, Mexico is by far the most football-obsessed - but there’s been controversy over ticket prices and concerns about security.