The 2026 World Cup has been underway since June 11, when Mexico opened the tournament at Estadio Azteca against South Africa in Mexico City. Every 4 years, the World Cup captures the attention of sports fans worldwide for a full month of soccer. Yet this year has been about more than just pitchside action.
Despite the longstanding belief that politics and sports should remain separate, the 2026 World Cup has shown that this is not possible in modern culture. The game has become about more than just the 90 minutes on the pitch. From political disputes between competing nations and discrimination directed at players, supporters, and team staff to the widening economic divide between fans who can afford to attend matches and fans who cannot, the conversation has shifted from whether politics belongs in soccer to the fact that it will not be separated again.
Many nations participating in the competition have felt discriminated against by the USA. They have struggled to obtain visas for their athletes and support staff; fan ticket allocations have been decreased. Specifically, the rising tension between the USA and Iran has bled into the Iran national team’s experience at this year’s World Cup. Several players have criticized having their home camp in Tijuana, Mexico, despite not being scheduled to play any matches in Mexico. Additionally, members of the team have spoken out about the condition that they leave the USA immediately after games. The extensive travel schedule can affect players’ performance on the pitch as recovery is an important part of their routines. During the press conference following the match Iran played against Egypt in their final group stage match, captain Mehdi Taremi stated that even after a late match, the team was forced to return to their camp in Tijuana.
The Iranian team isn’t the only one that has faced issues at this World Cup. Aymen Hussein, a striker playing for Iraq, was detained for seven hours of questioning upon arriving in Chicago, and a photographer travelling with the team was denied entry. Furthermore, many fans travelling to the host cities have stated difficulties obtaining visas to attend their matches.
Politics has not been the only issue shaping this World Cup. Record-high ticket prices have made attending matches out of reach for many supporters, including fans living in or near host cities. A sport historically celebrated for its accessibility and working-class roots has become increasingly difficult for ordinary supporters to experience in person.
While soccer may never be free of politics, it can strive to be fair despite it. The 2026 World Cup has shown that access has also become a major factor. Access to compete, to support, to view, and most importantly, to attend. Future international tournaments need to find a way to ensure that all participating nations are treated with fairness, equality, and equity to ensure fair play and an enjoyable tournament for all. This can be done through standardized travel arrangements, fair visa agreements, ticket allocation, and affordable pricing for supporters.
Preserving the accessibility of soccer should be a priority equal to preserving the integrity of the competition. Organizers could consider financial caps on the contributions of host nations to promote affordable ticketing while maintaining profit margins. While soccer will always be the beautiful game and the World Cup will always have viewers, it is important for host nations and organizers not to lose sight of its purpose: to bring the world together to celebrate a sport known and loved by many.