Ticket pain and Trump anger, but still room for ‘magic’: how readers feel about the World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is nearly upon us. Across 39 days beginning Thursday, 104 matches will be played throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada until a champion is crowned 19 July in New Jersey. Amid the quadrennial excitement around the world’s biggest sporting event, there has also been intense controversy and scrutiny. Ticket prices, transport costs, climate threats and security concerns have left fans with mixed emotions. We asked readers around the world to share their feelings about the World Cup , whether they are preparing to attend the matches in person, follow from home or refuse to watch at all. These are some of the stories we received. I’m going, but I don’t feel great about any of it There isn’t a ton of optimism about Canada’s chances – getting out of the group would be an accomplishment, albeit a very attainable one – but rooting for a competent underdog in these tournaments is rewarding in its own way. Plus, we have recently enjoyed some very intense international sport (ice hockey against the US, in the Four Nations Face-Off and then the Olympics), so there is a sense of togetherness in what is a very diverse city. Really it comes down to the novelty of the experience and bringing a global event “home”, if only for a few games. I’m attending Canada v Switzerland in Vancouver. I got tickets through a friend’s work and figured out affordable accommodation through family, otherwise I would not be attending. …