This World Cup, Bigger Might Not Really Be Better
Key takeaways
- By almost any metric, the 2026 tournament is the largest ever: the most host countries; the longest distances between stadiums; the most players, teams, and matches; and then there’s the eye-watering ticket prices.
- The scale is a logistical nightmare for fans, teams, and host cities.
- With FIFA expanding the tournament to defend soccer’s dominance over a host of growing contender sports, fans and teams alike should get used to the upscaling, experts tell WIRED Middle East.
Why this matters: a development in AI with implications for how people work, create, and decide.
Illustration: Nadia Mèndez; Getty Images Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story It’s often said that bigger means better. This year’s FIFA World Cup may put that to the test.
By almost any metric, the 2026 tournament is the largest ever: the most host countries; the longest distances between stadiums; the most players, teams, and matches; and then there’s the eye-watering ticket prices.
The scale is a logistical nightmare for fans, teams, and host cities. Held across three countries— Canada, Mexico, and the US—48 teams (up from the usual 32) will navigate 16 host cities separated by thousands of miles and four distinct time zones.