One-year World Cup countdown begins amid unrest and criticism

June 12 – One year from this week, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With 48 teams and an anticipated 6.5 million fans expected in stadiums, FIFA is billing it as the “biggest and most inclusive” tournament in football history. But behind the countdown clocks and marketing slogans, the political undertones are hard to ignore.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino,