The countdown has begun for the eagerly awaited 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly organized by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Being the biggest World Cup ever under a spread-out 48-team format, the tournament is an organizational and business challenge unlike any faced by FIFA before. With less than a year to go before the international spotlight shines on North America, FIFA’s dry run, the 2025 Club World Cup has already given an indication of major issues and possibilities that could be the measure of the success of the showcase event.
Club World Cup 2025: A Dress Rehearsal with Mixed Reactions
Priced to lead off in June of 2025, the U.S. FIFA Club World Cup is being utilized as an appetizer to the main course. With 32 clubs participating from 12 venues within 11 cities, FIFA hopes to utilize this event as a test run of preparedness for host sites, fan demand, and operating procedures. Signs of trouble are already on the horizon.
Ticket sales have been sluggish. Even headline matches featuring Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are showing wide availability. Despite FIFA stating that fans from over 130 countries have bought tickets, the concern over empty seats is real. The decision to include Inter Miami has also stirred controversy because of their early playoff exit.
Infrastructure and Stadium Standards: Still Under the Microscope
The U.S. has successfully hosted major events in the past but FIFA’s stringent standards provide an added burden. The biggest challenge is ensuring that all NFL stadiums meet football-specific requirements. This entails the conversion of artificial turf to natural grass and compliance with pitch size requirements.
FIFA has promised that each of the World Cup and Club World Cup stadiums will be international-grade, especially after being criticized for having poor-quality pitches during the last Copa America. But retrofitting colossal stadiums in a few months, with the NFL schedules still being finalized, is more complicated.
Financial Gamble and Legal Wrangles
Financially, FIFA has secured a $1 billion television rights deal with DAZN, bringing expected revenue to $2 billion. A record $1 billion prize money is also expected to enhance club attendance for the Club World Cup. All this against a backdrop of criticism by player associations like FIFPro Europe, which argue that the congested schedule puts too much pressure on sportsmen and women.
Legal action has already been taken against FIFA by some European leagues, griping about player exhaustion and non-consultation. FIFA’s contention is that the Club World Cup is every four years and consists of a maximum of seven matches for finalists. However, the balance between commercialization and athlete welfare is an issue of contention.
Global Expectations and U.S. Readiness
For FIFA, the 2026 World Cup is not just a tournament, it’s an election on what the sport will look like in America in the future. Soccer, or football, has incrementally gained popularity, but the World Cup will decide if it can turn mainstream. The tournament’s success hinges on whether it can win over casual fans, manage gargantuan crowds, and deliver a unified experience across three nations.
Other than logistics, there are cultural aspects. FIFA’s vision is to have the 2026 one be the most representative and inclusive tournament in the world so far. This means more African, Asian, and smaller countries’ teams with greater visibility but a competitive disadvantage that critics argue would dilute on-field strength.
The Path Ahead: Challenges and Optimism
Despite anxieties, there is a strong belief that the U.S. and its allies are up to the task. Ticketing issues for the Club World Cup can be addressed through enhanced marketing and grassroots promotion. Stadium conversions are costly but possible. FIFA has the financial cushion to cope with unforeseen setbacks.
FIFA’s bold experiment with a bigger format will be tested to its ultimate limit. The World Cup 2026 is not just a tournament but it’s a high-stakes bet to reimagine the global football experience.
