Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup

Summary of Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup

by The New York Times

36m•June 6, 2026
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Overview of Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup

This New York Times episode of The Sunday Daily is a pre-World Cup primer on the 2026 FIFA World Cup—why it’s historically unusual, which teams and players matter most, and why the tournament has become as much a cultural and political spectacle as a sporting event. Global soccer correspondent Tariq Panja explains the expanded format, the likely contenders, the long-shot teams, and the controversy over record-high ticket prices.

What Makes the 2026 World Cup Different

Three host nations

  • For the first time, the World Cup will be hosted by three countries:
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Most matches will be in the U.S., with games spread across major cities from coast to coast.

Expanded field of teams

  • This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, up from 32.
  • The tournament will include:
    • 72 group-stage games
    • 104 total matches
  • The expanded format is framed as both:
    • a political win for FIFA leadership, and
    • an opportunity for more countries and fans to experience the World Cup.

Teams and Players to Watch

The favorites

  • Spain: Seen as the leading favorite, powered by teen star Lamine Yamal.
  • France: Deep, stacked with elite talent, including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Desire Doué.
  • England: A dangerous side led by Harry Kane.
  • Portugal: Strong and balanced, with Cristiano Ronaldo still central.
  • Brazil: Not talked about as much as usual, but still dangerous; could be a surprise late-stage contender.

Dark horses and underdogs

  • United States: A realistic quarterfinal-level team at best, but with home-field advantage and players like Christian Pulisic, they could make a run.
  • Ecuador: Could benefit from familiarity with hot conditions.
  • Norway: A serious threat if Erling Haaland is in scoring form.

Storyline teams with emotional pull

  • Curaçao: A tiny Caribbean nation qualifying for the first time, with a squad largely made up of Netherlands-born players with Curaçaoan roots.
  • Jordan, Iraq, Haiti, and the Democratic Republic of Congo: Notable for historic or first-time appearances and the emotional significance of representing their countries on the world stage.

The Messi and Ronaldo Era May Be Ending

Lionel Messi

  • Argentina’s Lionel Messi is treated as potentially making his final World Cup appearance.
  • The episode emphasizes the emotional weight of watching one of the sport’s greatest-ever players in what may be his last run.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić

  • Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić are also discussed as veterans likely nearing the end of their World Cup careers.
  • The piece frames this tournament as a possible last hurrah for an entire generation of global superstars.

The Biggest Off-Field Controversy: Ticket Prices

Record-breaking costs

  • Ticket prices are described as “eye-wateringly expensive” and far above previous World Cups.
  • The most expensive final ticket is cited at around $10,000, compared with roughly $1,000 for the top tier in Qatar.

Dynamic pricing

  • FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time, meaning prices can rise or fall based on demand.
  • In practice, the episode suggests prices have mostly stayed high or increased.

Fan backlash

  • Fans feel exploited and priced out.
  • The situation has prompted possible legal action by the New Jersey and New York attorneys general.
  • There is also confusion over ticket categories and seating changes.

What the Episode Says About World Cup Culture

The tournament as a global ritual

  • The World Cup is portrayed as more than sports:
    • a gathering of nations,
    • a source of identity and belonging,
    • and a shared emotional experience for billions.
  • Fans often describe their team in collective terms: not “my team,” but “we play today.”

Argentina as the archetype

  • The episode uses Argentine fans to show how deep World Cup devotion can go.
  • One fan even quit his job so his family could attend.
  • The message: for many people, attending the World Cup feels like a pilgrimage.

The uniquely communal atmosphere

  • Tariq Panja describes pre-tournament fan zones and streets full of people from around the world trading shirts, stories, and songs.
  • The World Cup is presented as a rare moment when global fandom becomes a shared public celebration.

Main Takeaways

  • The 2026 World Cup is bigger, more global, and more expensive than any before it.
  • Spain, France, England, and Portugal look strongest, while Brazil, the U.S., Norway, and Ecuador could surprise.
  • The tournament may mark the final World Cup chapter for Messi, Ronaldo, and Modrić.
  • Off the field, ticket pricing and FIFA’s commercial strategy are major flashpoints.
  • Despite controversy, the World Cup remains the world’s biggest sporting and cultural event.