FIFA World Cup 2026: With 100 days to go, WC faces new challenges with Iran war and Mexico violence
The Hindu
With just 100 days to go, the World Cup faces challenges from the Iran conflict and rising violence in Mexico.
With 100 days to go until the World Cup, the Iran war has added a new layer of complexity to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
How the conflict will affect the world's most-watched sporting event is the latest issue facing organisers already grappling with cartel violence in one of Mexico's host cities, scaled-back plans for fan festivals in the U.S. and criticism from fans against soaring ticket prices.
Officials of the qualified teams are meeting with FIFA staff in Atlanta this week. The tournament kicks off on June 11 when Mexico plays South Africa in Mexico City. It will be the biggest World Cup ever with 48 participating teams, up from 32 at the previous tournament in Qatar.
Brazilian former player Jose Roberto Gama de Oliveira 'Bebeto' and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum with the FIFA World Cup trophy in Mexico City | Photo Credit: Reuters
Here's a look at some of the issues drawing scrutiny as the countdown began.
It's not unusual for international politics to overshadow a global sports event like the World Cup — at least in the early stages before the football action takes over the headlines.
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A warning from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has triggered global market anxiety. After joint U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran, Tehran signaled that navigation through one of the world’s most critical oil routes could be restricted. Nearly 20% of the world’s crude oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz every day. Countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Iran rely on it for exports, with major buyers including China, India, Japan and South Korea. Even without a formal blockade, disruptions, rerouting and rising insurance costs are already slowing tanker traffic. Analysts warn that a serious disruption could push crude oil prices above $90 — or even $100 per barrel. For India, which imports nearly 85–90% of its oil and depends heavily on Hormuz-linked supplies, the economic stakes are high. Higher crude prices could mean rising fuel costs, inflation pressures and a larger import bill.
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India expresses deep concern over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, prioritising the safety of its citizens in the Gulf.
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