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France 24
France 24
Sport
FRANCE 24

Football and politics collide as World Cup kicks off in shadow of war, travel bans

World Cup Donald Trump Fifa Football Gianni Infantino United States Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Mauricio Pochettino Mexico
Cover image: US President Donald Trump's policies have cast doubt on FIFA president Gianni Infantino's pledge that this will be the "most inclusive" World Cup ever. © Evan Vucci, AP file photo

The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday with a record 48 teams vying for the most coveted prize in football and a slew of controversies over ticket prices, geopolitical tensions and visa restrictions imposed by the Trump administration casting a pall over the beautiful game’s quadrennial extravaganza.

The biggest World Cup ever opens on Thursday with 48 teams, 104 matches, three host nations and mounting anger at ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has seen fans, a top referee and team officials barred from the tournament.

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