Introducing WC Watch ’26: With under 500 days until Canada, Mexico and the United States host the 2026 World Cup-statistically the biggest sporting event of all-time-we’re bringing you five questions to debate weekly.
From competitive controversies to business and hospitality impact, we’ve got you covered, pointing toward issues underlying the passion and joys of 2026!
1.) Will 2026 revenue shatter revenue projections?
In 1994, we had pre-Fox Alexis Lalas leading the Stars and Stripes amid $1.4 billion generated by hosting the beautiful game’s premiere event. By comparison, at least one estimate has predicted the 2026 World Cup could bring in upwards of $5 billion. Will 2026’s sales ultimately shatter the $5 billion prediction?
2.) Will Visa Backlog Prove Problematic?
One of the hottest topics around 2026 at present is mounting visa concerns for travelers. As reported in The Guardian, international tourists looking to make their 2026 plans may run into obstacles the government could ultimately have to intervene on.
The US Travel Association has pointed out that in addition to the 2026 World Cup, the US will be hosting the Ryder Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Some may balk at that being a logistical issue, with those events being chronologically distanced enough from one another. However, visa access concerns specifically seem viable. As one example, The Guardian noted that visa wait times for Columbia currently exceed two years-well past the event’s end date. For the uninitiated, the US visa system differs in impact on different countries. Will the US government step in to pre-emptively resolve traveler access issues?
3.) How is ticketing being approached?
A mega-event spanning three countries-and 16 different cities-for the first time ever poses unique sales questions. While price points and adaptive markets are sure to remain sky-high, we do know how tickets have been released for past World Cups. Sports Illustrated recently provided a primer for how World Cup ticketeting drops usually go down:
“FIFA typically utilizes a four-staged process for ticket releases at the World Cup. The first stage is known as the lottery phase which is a randomized process. Phase 2 is a traditional first come, first serve basis after the 48 teams have been drawn into their respective groups. Phase 3 is another lottery, similar to Phase 1. Phase 4 is another first come, first serve scenario and the last phase of the ticketing release process.” –Via Sports Illustrated
4.) Will Russia be eligible?
FIFA’s Gianni Infantino was recently quoted as saying he’d like to see all teams playing in the 2026 World Cup. That would potentially mean the re-entry of Russia, who hosted the 2018 tournament but were banned after invading Ukraine. How might this play out? Will Russia play in 2026?
5.) All Eyes on Messi: Will He or Won’t He?
Messi, who will be 38 when the 2026 World Cup kicks off, has not definitively said he’s retired from the tournament-despite winning it all for Argentina the last time around. The lovable and enigmatic superstar’s decision about a tournament a little over a year from now is anyone’s guess. However, after establishing a presence in Miami, the goat may suffer from fear of missing out if he doesn’t give it a go.
This past October, Messi perhaps acknowledged the chances of winning it all again are low. At an awards ceremony celebrating his lifetime achievements, he said in part, “In 20 years, not everything is beautiful. You cannot win all the time.” Even so, his acknowledging that should not necessarily be interpreted as him not captaining Argentina’s 2026 squad…Will Messi play in 2026?
