Tensions surround the World Cup finals.

The countdown begins for one month until the start of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, amid an atmosphere swinging between anticipation and anxiety, due to the sharp rise in ticket prices, political tensions in the United States during Donald Trump's era, and the war in Iran, which has begun to cast a shadow over the world's most prominent football event.

The tournament is set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring a record participation of 48 teams, along with the influx of millions of fans, in the first edition to be jointly organized by three countries.

The competitions, which will last for six weeks, will kick off on June 11 from the famous "Azteca" stadium in Mexico City, before concluding on July 19 with the final match at "MetLife" Stadium in New Jersey, which has a capacity of 82,500 spectators.

However, the turbulent atmosphere of preparation has put the twenty-third edition at risk of starting as if it were a "post-party headache" before it even begins, amid a mix of concerns about affordability, political wrangling, and international disputes, casting a negative shadow over the general mood.

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, confirmed that these concerns are exaggerated, describing the wave of criticism as "negative media coverage."

Infantino stated during an economic conference in Beverly Hills: "The truth is that it is very difficult to find any negative aspect of this tournament."

However, this optimism has not received widespread consensus within football circles, as debates continue regarding the challenges preceding the World Cup's kickoff.

The sharp rise in World Cup ticket prices has sparked a global wave of anger, prompting FIFA and its president Infantino to attempt to contain the escalating media fallout.

The European Football Supporters Association described the ticket pricing structure as "outrageously inflated" and a "major betrayal," considering that the prices have made the tournament, which is expected to generate revenues of up to 13 billion US dollars for FIFA, out of reach for a wide segment of fans.

While the price of the most expensive ticket for the 2022 World Cup was around $1,600, the highest ticket prices for the 2026 edition have reached about $32,970, in an unprecedented jump that has drawn widespread criticism.

For his part, Infantino defended this pricing policy, considering it consistent with the nature of the market in the United States, which hosts the majority of the tournament's matches.