2026 World Cup Balance: Review of Pre-Tournament Fears and Outcomes
This article from Die Welt reviews the major concerns surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and assesses what actually transpired. Pre-tournament fears included weather chaos, political interference by US President Donald Trump, security issues, and empty stadiums. The weather largely cooperated, with only a few match interruptions due to storms, though heat and humidity remained a burden. Trump largely kept a low profile, intervening only once to lobby FIFA for a review of a US player's suspension, but is expected to present the trophy at the final. Security incidents occurred mainly in Mexico, including a fan festival stampede and a car driving into a crowd. Fears of empty stadiums in the US proved unfounded, with strong attendance reported. The final between Spain and Argentina faces additional challenges from extreme heat and wildfire smoke.
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