The 2026 World Cup, which promised to be an unparalleled celebration of football, has become one of the most controversial periods in history in its early days. From bloody clashes between police and protesters outside the Azteca Stadium to the visa crisis for Iran and Ghana, from the cancellation of ticket quotas for Iranian fans to protests by Palestinian supporters in Toronto, the tournament is grappling with a host of political, security and economic controversies.
Publish dateSunday 14 June 2026 - 09:21
Story Code : 357739
Violence at the Opening Ceremony: Tear Gas at the Azteca
On Thursday evening, just minutes before the Mexico-South Africa match was due to kick off, nearly 2,000 protesters gathered around the Azteca Stadium. The protesters, who were demanding attention to thousands of unresolved judicial cases and domestic violence, tried to break through the security cordons and vandalized a truck. Police deployed 300 riot police and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. These scenes took place while Mexico was celebrating a 2-0 victory inside the stadium.
In other scenes from the opening ceremony, the American network "Fox" angered viewers by completely omitting Shakira's performance. Mexican spectators also booed the American flag while carrying the country's flags, because the country hosted most of the matches.
The big visa crisis: Iran, Palestine, Somalia and Ghana
The biggest side effect of this period is the main host, the United States. The US government refused to issue visas to 15 senior officials of the Iranian Football Federation, including Mehdi Taj and Mehdi Mohammad Nabi. The Iranian caravan was forced to move its camp to Tijuana, Mexico, and was only allowed to enter American territory with the strange condition of "entering and leaving on the day of the match." Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Federation, and a Somali referee were also denied US visas (the Somali referee was arrested and returned upon arrival).
In Canada, Ghana captain Thomas Partey was denied a Canadian visa due to an ongoing legal case in England (allegations of rape that he denies) and missed his team's first game. Journalists have also filed official complaints about visa problems. In all of these cases, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that FIFA cannot interfere in the sovereignty of countries.
Latest: Cancellation of Iranian Fan Ticket Quota
Just days before the start of the tournament, the Iranian Football Federation announced that the eight percent quota for Iranian fans in group stage matches had been canceled. The Iranian Federation called the move a "violation of the spirit of the tournament" and "political interference" and called on FIFA to adhere to its principles of neutrality.
Pro-Palestinian Protests in Toronto
Ahead of Canada's first game in Toronto, pro-Palestinian protesters unfurled a giant banner reading "Expell Israel from FIFA," accusing FIFA of "normalizing occupation." The protests come as the war in Gaza continues.
Astronomical prices and strange economic decisions
FIFA has implemented a policy of "dynamic pricing" to sell tickets for the final for up to $2 million and is taking a 30% commission on resale of tickets. In an unprecedented move, a fee of $12.50 will be charged to enter the Fan Zone in New Jersey. The 15-minute train ride to the New Jersey stadium was initially $150, but was reduced to $98 after protests.
FIFA had initially banned any water bottles, but after doctors warned about the heat and widespread protests, it backed down and allowed single-use, sealed water bottles.
Trump's Peace Prize and the accusation of "sportwashing"
Before the start of the tournament, the FIFA president presented a "peace prize" to US President Donald Trump. Trump, who had previously suggested replacing the Iranian team with Italy, is set to play a prominent role in the tournament. Human rights groups have described the event as “an opportunity for US sportswashing.”
Other side effects: England’s boot theft and FIFA probe
On the eve of England’s first training session, all of the players’ boots were stolen (police have arrested two suspects). Authorities in New York and New Jersey have also launched formal investigations into FIFA’s allegations of “artificially inflating ticket prices and misleading fans.”
As the tournament continues, it remains to be seen whether the focus will once again turn to football or whether the 2026 tournament will go down in history with the same side effects. What is certain is that this period of the competition has been unprecedented in terms of the variety of side effects.
On Thursday evening, just minutes before the Mexico-South Africa match was due to kick off, nearly 2,000 protesters gathered around the Azteca Stadium. The protesters, who were demanding attention to thousands of unresolved judicial cases and domestic violence, tried to break through the security cordons and vandalized a truck. Police deployed 300 riot police and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. These scenes took place while Mexico was celebrating a 2-0 victory inside the stadium.
In other scenes from the opening ceremony, the American network "Fox" angered viewers by completely omitting Shakira's performance. Mexican spectators also booed the American flag while carrying the country's flags, because the country hosted most of the matches.
The big visa crisis: Iran, Palestine, Somalia and Ghana
The biggest side effect of this period is the main host, the United States. The US government refused to issue visas to 15 senior officials of the Iranian Football Federation, including Mehdi Taj and Mehdi Mohammad Nabi. The Iranian caravan was forced to move its camp to Tijuana, Mexico, and was only allowed to enter American territory with the strange condition of "entering and leaving on the day of the match." Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Federation, and a Somali referee were also denied US visas (the Somali referee was arrested and returned upon arrival).
In Canada, Ghana captain Thomas Partey was denied a Canadian visa due to an ongoing legal case in England (allegations of rape that he denies) and missed his team's first game. Journalists have also filed official complaints about visa problems. In all of these cases, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that FIFA cannot interfere in the sovereignty of countries.
Latest: Cancellation of Iranian Fan Ticket Quota
Just days before the start of the tournament, the Iranian Football Federation announced that the eight percent quota for Iranian fans in group stage matches had been canceled. The Iranian Federation called the move a "violation of the spirit of the tournament" and "political interference" and called on FIFA to adhere to its principles of neutrality.
Pro-Palestinian Protests in Toronto
Ahead of Canada's first game in Toronto, pro-Palestinian protesters unfurled a giant banner reading "Expell Israel from FIFA," accusing FIFA of "normalizing occupation." The protests come as the war in Gaza continues.
Astronomical prices and strange economic decisions
FIFA has implemented a policy of "dynamic pricing" to sell tickets for the final for up to $2 million and is taking a 30% commission on resale of tickets. In an unprecedented move, a fee of $12.50 will be charged to enter the Fan Zone in New Jersey. The 15-minute train ride to the New Jersey stadium was initially $150, but was reduced to $98 after protests.
FIFA had initially banned any water bottles, but after doctors warned about the heat and widespread protests, it backed down and allowed single-use, sealed water bottles.
Trump's Peace Prize and the accusation of "sportwashing"
Before the start of the tournament, the FIFA president presented a "peace prize" to US President Donald Trump. Trump, who had previously suggested replacing the Iranian team with Italy, is set to play a prominent role in the tournament. Human rights groups have described the event as “an opportunity for US sportswashing.”
Other side effects: England’s boot theft and FIFA probe
On the eve of England’s first training session, all of the players’ boots were stolen (police have arrested two suspects). Authorities in New York and New Jersey have also launched formal investigations into FIFA’s allegations of “artificially inflating ticket prices and misleading fans.”
As the tournament continues, it remains to be seen whether the focus will once again turn to football or whether the 2026 tournament will go down in history with the same side effects. What is certain is that this period of the competition has been unprecedented in terms of the variety of side effects.
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