Current Issue
Vol. 30 No. 332 (2026)
2026 World Cup: War, Power, and Geopolitics
The world of sports in 2026 is preparing not only for an athletic competition but also for a display of power that transcends the playing field. The 2026 FIFA World Cup stands as the absolute epicenter, transforming into a phenomenon where logistics, emotion, and geopolitics converge in an unprecedented way. For the first time, FIFA is breaking the mold by holding the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The expansion to 48 teams and a total of 104 matches has necessitated record-breaking logistics. In this vast geographical area, critical challenges arise in transportation and sustainability, seeking to balance the carbon footprint with the movement of millions of fans across thousands of kilometers.
On an emotional level, the expectation has a name: Lionel Messi. With the Argentine star still active with Inter Miami, participating in his sixth World Cup, the world wonders if this tournament will be his "last dance" as a professional. The possibility of defending the 2022 title adds a mystique that only soccer can generate.
Beyond the ball, the World Cup is a tool for expressing nationalism and regional supremacy. Visa policies and immigration controls are the filters determining the composition of the stands and the playing field, reflecting current tensions and intolerance. For the United States, the event's success is key to reaffirming its influence on the continent, amidst a trade and tariff war with China, an ongoing military intervention in Venezuela, and threats to seize territories of other nations, generating a climate of global tension that affects diplomacy and violates International Law. Soccer as a geopolitical chessboard thus configures the playing field as, more than ever, the entire world.
Tulio Guterman, Director – January 2026
Published:
2026-01-06
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