No showpiece event of a sport has lived up to its billing quite like the FIFA World Cup. The 2026 edition, which kicks off on Thursday, offers proof. With 48 teams and 104 matches, it is the biggest ever. With roughly one in four FIFA member nations qualifying, and six of the seven continents represented, it is the most inclusive yet. From Oceania to North America, it wraps the whole universe. It is also the first time that three countries will be hosting the quadrennial extravaganza — the United States, Canada and Mexico. Top players in Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar have touched down, and so have coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel. While Messi will aim for a repeat of Argentina’s trophy-winning exploits from 2022, Ronaldo will gun for Portugal’s first. Neymar, yet to win the coveted Cup, has a very heavy cross to bear, for he comes from the land of Pele and five-time champion Brazil. Kylian Mbappe’s France, titlist in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, remains strong. Spain, with the irresistible teenager Lamine Yamal in its ranks, is a favourite, and so are Germany and England to a lesser degree. But four-time winner Italy is absent, for a scarcely believable third straight occasion.

The World Cup also serves a purpose beyond the turf — of shrinking differences, uniting populations and promoting cross-cultural exchanges. In this, the latest instalment has stumbled badly. On Monday, it emerged that the U.S. had denied entry to Somalian referee Omar Artan, the best men’s referee from Africa in 2025 and one of the 52 handpicked by governing body FIFA. There are credible reports of journalists being refused visas and squad members being questioned by immigration authorities. In an unfortunate turn, the military stand-off between the U.S. and Iran has forced the West Asian nation to camp in Mexico and travel to Seattle (more than 2,000 km away) and Los Angeles for its group-stage games. It is both a logistical nightmare and an affront to the core sporting tenet of a level-playing field for all teams. Fans are also rankled by the high ticket costs, limited public transport facilities and steep visa fees. That a travel-intensive competition is being held amidst a disruption in global fuel supplies and spike in energy prices is not lost on anyone. These concerns will likely dissipate once Mexico and South Africa set the ball rolling at the majestic Estadio Azteca. However, it is essential to reflect and learn in order to chart a more inclusive future.