A tournament of superlatives, organized for the first time in three countries (United States, Mexico, Canada) with 48 participants, the 2026 World Cup begins in a month, weighed down by uncertainties caused by the policies of US President Donald Trump and the international tensions generated by the war against Iran.

On June 11 at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City, "Tri" will kick off against South Africa what is shaping up to be the biggest sporting event in history.

With 104 matches in 16 venues, some more than 4,000 km apart, and almost a month and a half of competition, this World Cup will be like no other and will be the exact opposite of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where everything was decided in a very close race.

To succeed Lionel Messi's Argentina on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (New Jersey), a real marathon is promised to the future winner, obliged to play eight matches to seize the supreme trophy in sometimes trying conditions between intense heat and high humidity levels.

FIFA anticipates record revenues of $13 billion at the end of the four-year cycle that will conclude with this extravagant World Cup, and $30 billion in benefits for the American economy.

While the logistical challenge is immense for the three hosts, the security issue will be crucial for Mexico, which is required to offer guarantees in this area, particularly in Guadalajara where a surge of violence followed the death of one of the drug lords in early March.

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But the focus will be primarily on the United States, which will take the lion's share with 78 matches, including all the games from the quarter-finals onwards.

Donald Trump, who has made this 2026 World Cup one of the major events of his second term, hopes to gain a political advantage from it, at the time of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country's independence on July 4, and especially a few months before the "midterms" (midterm elections) in November.

But the country's image has become singularly blurred since the billionaire's return to the White House, between a trade war launched against the whole world, especially its two neighbors Mexico and Canada, anti-immigration rhetoric and armed intervention in Iran, alongside Israel, which is setting the whole Middle East ablaze.

The NGO Human Rights Watch has warned against a tournament of "exclusion and fear," while Amnesty International has alerted to "serious risks" faced by populations and supporters in the United States.

Tensions with Iran, which is due to play its three first-round matches on American soil (Los Angeles and Seattle), add to the questions, and the conditions of "Team Melli's" participation are the subject of a battle of bluff between the different parties.

"I want to confirm unambiguously that Iran will obviously participate in the World Cup. And of course Iran will play in the United States," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino on April 30 at the organization's Congress in Vancouver.

"If Gianni said so, then I'm OK," replied Donald Trump, who had nevertheless stated in March that the Iranian team should not participate for its own "security".

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The exorbitant price of tickets is also a source of tension. The organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has accused the international federation of "extortion" and "monumental betrayal".

Even Donald Trump said he was surprised by the fees charged (more than $1,000) for the United States' entry into the competition against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, telling the New York Post that he "would not pay" that amount.

"We have to take the market into account," argued Gianni Infantino, noting that 25% of the seats for the group stage cost less than $300.

This did not dampen the enthusiasm of buyers, as FIFA claims to have received more than 500 million requests, compared to 50 million for the two previous World Cups combined.

On the sporting side, the coaches of the 48 teams will unveil their player lists sometime in May before starting preparations for the competition.

Kylian Mbappé's France, crowned champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, appear to be serious contenders for the title, propelled by a dazzling attacking line. But Lamine Yamal's Spain, Harry Kane's England, and the Portugal of the ageless Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old) are determined to stand in their way, not to mention the defending champions Argentina, once again led by Lionel Messi.

Only the two superpowers, Brazil and Germany, appear for once somewhat in the background.