The 2026 World Cup is happening no matter what. That's the message from FIFA's chief operating officer, Heimo Schirgi, who says the tournament is simply "too big" to postpone despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at the International Broadcast Center in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi acknowledged that FIFA is closely watching the situation involving the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran. But he made it clear the show will go on.
"The situation is developing and changing day by day," Schirgi explained. "We're monitoring closely and working with all our partners to evaluate things. At some stage we will have a resolution. And the World Cup will go on obviously, right? The World Cup is too big."
This expanded 48-nation tournament kicks off June 11 across 16 venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It's the biggest World Cup ever, and FIFA seems determined not to let anything derail it.
Travel Bans and Exemptions
Here's where things get interesting for betting fans. Four qualified nations face U.S. travel bans: Iran, Ivory Coast, Haiti, and Senegal. However, the Trump administration says it will make exceptions for players, team officials, and their immediate families.
This matters for anyone placing bets on these teams. Iran in particular could be affected by the broader conflict, though FIFA says it's in constant contact with Iran's soccer federation. Schirgi wouldn't share details about those conversations, so there's still some uncertainty around their participation.
For punters, this means keeping a close eye on squad announcements and team preparation as the tournament approaches. Any disruption to these nations could impact their odds and performance.
Ticket Prices Under Fire
FIFA also faced questions about eye-watering ticket prices. Category one seats are going for up to $8,680, while even category three tickets for first-round matches cost $1,120.
Schirgi defended a recent 48-hour ticket sale window, saying it gave fans who missed out on cheaper tickets a chance to buy in higher categories. It's not exactly what fans wanted to hear.
After criticism, FIFA did announce that a few hundred $60 tickets would be available for each match through national federations. But with such limited availability, most fans will need to dig deep to attend.
Despite all the challenges, Schirgi remains optimistic. He believes the World Cup will "bring everyone together" and showcase the truly global nature of football, just as previous tournaments in Qatar and Russia did.
