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Mundial 2026
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WC 2026: Pitch conditions in Boston and New York come under fire from players and coaches
The quality of the pitches in Boston and New York has become one of the first major organisational issues of the 2026 World Cup. Players and coaches have criticised the dry, hard surfaces, which slow the game down and highlight the challenge of adapting NFL stadiums to FIFA requirements.
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WC 2026: Levi’s vs FIFA. Stadium sponsor in Santa Clara pokes fun at FIFA regulations
FIFA ordered the Levi’s logo at the Santa Clara stadium to be covered, but the result had the opposite effect. The brand’s iconic shape remained clearly visible, and Levi’s quickly turned the situation into a joke about the World Cup’s “clean stadium” rules.
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WC 2026: MetLife Stadium enters the tournament as a venue meeting the highest standards
Just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the tournament’s final venue received the prestigious LEED Gold certification. The award confirms that MetLife Stadium meets some of the highest environmental standards in sport and is set to showcase a more sustainable approach to hosting the world’s biggest football events.
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Mexico: World Cup vs fear? Mexico at the heart of the security discussion
Just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, Mexico has found itself at the centre of a debate about security. Social protests, cartel activity and an unprecedented security operation mean the tournament will be not only a celebration of football, but also one of the biggest organisational and security tests in the country's history.
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WC 2026: “You can be small and compete.” Toronto’s underrated World Cup stadium
Does a World Cup really need 80,000- or 90,000-seat stadiums? Toronto suggests otherwise. The smallest venue of the 2026 World Cup has become a symbol of a more sustainable approach to hosting major tournaments, sparking debate over whether atmosphere and long-term usability matter more than record-breaking capacity.
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WC 2026: Mexico welcomes the World Cup. Three stadiums and multi-million-dollar transformations
Before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, three key venues in Mexico — Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, the stadium in Guadalupe, and Estadio Guadalajara in Zapopan — are fully ready to host the tournament. What has changed?
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WC 2026: Countdown to the World Cup in Canada. How were the stadiums prepared for the tournament?
Canada’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup involved extensive upgrades to its two tournament venues — BC Place in Vancouver and the stadium in Toronto. Both facilities underwent comprehensive renovations aimed at meeting FIFA requirements and raising technical, operational and commercial standards.
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WC 2026: Weather already poses a challenge. The 2026 World Cup could make history
The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be remembered not only for what happens on the pitch, but also for the extreme weather surrounding the tournament. Heat, humidity and severe thunderstorms are already raising concerns, with experts warning that this could become one of the most climatically challenging World Cups in decades.
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USA: Inside the billion-dollar machine behind World Cup 2026. Costs, controversy and complexity
Although the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a joint effort of the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is the USA that bears the greatest organizational burden of the tournament. Most matches — including the final — will be played on American soil, which has required massive investment in stadiums, transport and security systems.
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WC 2026: Luxury box owners at Estadio Azteca threaten to boycott the World Cup
Just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new dispute has erupted at Estadio Azteca. Private suite owners accuse FIFA and the stadium operator of restricting rights they have held for decades, with some now threatening to boycott matches, including the tournament opener.
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WC 2026: Threat of a strike at Sofi Stadium averted just before the start of the World Cup
The threat of a strike at SoFi Stadium has been averted just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After months of negotiations, UNITE HERE Local 11 and the stadium operator reached an agreement covering wage increases, job protections, and special safeguards for workers during the tournament.
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WC 2026: How US stadiums are preparing for the World Cup? Grass, construction, and criticism
Preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup involved extensive upgrades that transformed NFL venues into stadiums meeting FIFA requirements. The key changes included switching to natural grass surfaces, adjusting pitch geometry and expanding technical infrastructure and operational facilities.
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USA: Could a strike threaten the World Cup? SoFi Stadium workers ready to protest
Workers at SoFi Stadium are moving closer to a strike ahead of the 2026 World Cup. As many as 96% of union members backed strike action, potentially affecting preparations at one of the tournament’s key venues.
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USA: FIFA changes water bottle policy. Fans will be allowed to bring water into World Cup stadiums
FIFA has partially reversed its controversial decision on bringing water into stadiums during the 2026 World Cup. Following criticism from fans and supporter organisations, the governing body will allow spectators to enter venues in the United States and Canada with one factory-sealed bottle of water. However, this does not mean a full return to the previous rules — reusable bottles and hard flasks remain banned.
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Chile: The stadium turned into a paradise for collectors. The “Great WC 2026 Sticker Swap”
More than 8,000 collectors turned Estadio Bicentenario de La Florida into the largest World Cup sticker exchange venue in Chile. The huge turnout at the “Great Swap” highlighted the growing excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup album, as the stadium was transformed into a paradise for Panini collectors of all ages.
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Mexico: Estadio Azteca ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Construction flaws and safety concerns
Estadio Azteca was supposed to symbolize Mexico’s readiness for the 2026 World Cup, but after reopening the stadium has become the center of growing controversy. Fans have complained about unfinished works, poor sightlines and organizational chaos, while concerns are also rising over structural safety and ground subsidence beneath the stadium.
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USA: MetLife Stadium prepares for World Cup final. Works already underway
MetLife Stadium has begun installing natural grass ahead of the 2026 World Cup final. During the tournament, the venue will operate as “New York New Jersey Stadium” and is set to play a central role as both the final host and a key logistical hub of the competition in the United States.
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WC 2026: Major overhaul of SoFi Stadium just for the World Cup — labor tensions rise
The World Cup is forcing changes even on one of the world’s most advanced venues. SoFi Stadium is undergoing a major transformation just for 2026, but a growing labor dispute is casting a shadow over the project.
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WC 2026: Metlife Stadium without parking – a transport revolution during World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will introduce unusual changes around MetLife Stadium that could surprise even seasoned fans. The traditional way of getting to matches will give way to a completely new model. What will this logistical experiment look like?
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WC 2026: Toronto Stadium renovation completed. Venue fully ready for the World Cup!
Toronto is completing its World Cup preparations, with its main stadium undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. The venue is set to meet global expectations and new standards. How has it changed ahead of the 2026 tournament?