Fan festivals, Panini, tickets: What are FIFA World Cup fans talking about?

For football fans, the majority of the build-up to the FIFA World Cup has centred on disappointment and shock more than excitement and delight. Faced with wide-ranging issues – from expensive match tickets to logistical concerns – fans have directed their criticism towards the sport’s global governing body and local organisers in the three host nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States. Recommended Stories list of 4 items end of list Political tensions have also been a major talking point, following US-Israel attacks on Iran that led to a regional conflict with global ramifications. The war has repeatedly raised questions about the US hosting Iran’s games, but FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran’s Team Melli will play. However, Iranian officials have asked the World Cup hosts to address their concerns . For fans attending the tournament, which begins on June 11 and concludes on July 19, or watching the 104 matches from across the globe, these are some key talking points: Free fan festivals bring respite After spending nearly six months expressing their outrage at “ extortionate ” prices for World Cup match tickets, local fans rushed to book their spots at the tournament’s official fan festivals in host cities. …