2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd FIFA World Cup. The tournament has taken place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It is jointly hosted by sixteen cities—eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. The tournament will be the first to be hosted by three nations.
Quotes
[edit]2025
[edit]- Can I keep it?
- Donald Trump, when presented with the trophy, Financial Express – "Trump jokes 'Can I keep it?' as FIFA chief presents 2026 World Cup trophy" (23 August 2025)
2026 (pre-tournament)
[edit]Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand – it’s a global statement. On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response. Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the world, our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums.
That is why we are committed to creating multiple ways for fans to be part of the World Cup – through a wide range of fan experiences beyond the stadiums, both in person and online – so that as many people as possible can share in what will be the biggest sporting event ever staged.
- ‘We cannot welcome every fan’ – Fifa release statement after half a BILLION World Cup 2026 ticket requests Fifa President Gianni Infantino in The Sun (15 Jan 2026)
- ICE is dedicated to ensuring that everyone that visits the facilities will have a safe and secure event.
- US Representative Nellie Pou quoted in "ICE will be 'key part of security' at World Cup in US", BBC (11 February 2026)
- I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.
- Donald Trump quoted on the question of Iran's participation due to 2026 Iran war: "Donald Trump ‘really does not care’ if Iran play at World Cup 2026", The Guardian (4 Mar 2026)
- Fifa is focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing and prospective fans. As a not-for-profit organisation, the revenue Fifa generates from the World Cup is reinvested to fuel the growth of the game - men, women, youth - throughout Fifa's 211 member associations globally
- Fifa quoted in "Complaint filed over World Cup ticket prices", BBC News (24 March 2026)
- Right now, we’re expecting the Iranian team to come. I think it’s a great opportunity for the Iranian diaspora here in the United States of America to be able to celebrate their country.
- White House Task Force Executive Director Andrew Giuliani quoted in: [1], NBC (March 26, 2026)
- The golden days of Italian football are well and truly gone.
- Reaction to Italy not qualifying in "Devastated Italians reckon with 'third apocalypse' of World Cup failure", BBC Sport (April 1, 2026)
- Sometimes in your life, you only get one opportunity to be able to go to a World Cup. For many, this was their opportunity and they just won't be able to afford to go.
- Supporters groups react to World Cup Final ticket prices in "The $11k World Cup final ticket - what we learned from first open sale", BBC Sport (April 2, 2026)
- Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.
- "Somali referee Artan barred from entering US", BBC News (8 June 2026)
Tournament
[edit]- To my players and the team, I want to say to them I'm proud of them. What these young people, these players have done, it should be written in history because the host country treated us very unfairly. Despite all of these problems, we've been able to perform well and the world is proud of Iranians and our team. I urge Fifa: don't let hosts treat players and teams the same way in future World Cups.
- Iran manager Amir Ghalenoei following their exit, quoted in "Are Iran the unluckiest side in World Cup history?", BBC Sport (28 June 2026)
- Fifa has deliberately designed an online exchange which allows tickets to be sold at vastly inflated prices with world football's governing body grabbing 15% of the money from both the buyer and the seller.
- Football Supporters' Association quoted in "England fan tickets for Mexico on resale for up to £26K", BBC Sport (3 July 2026)
- Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.
- Donald Trump after Fifa suspended a ban for Folarin Balogun, quoted in: "USA striker Balogun's one-game ban suspended by Fifa", BBC Sport (5 July 2026)
- Forty, 50 minutes with 10 men — even on sea level it’s almost impossible to overcome but we did it. We did it in altitude. They’re almost too exhausted to celebrate. It’s just beautiful that players on that kind of level just give everything for the win and for the country and for that shirt.
- England manager Thomas Tuchel after victory over Mexico, quoted in "England hands Mexico its first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach quarterfinals", AP News (5 July 2026)
- Overturn this.
- "'Overturn this' - Belgium taunt US and say Trump move fired them up", BBC Sport (7 July 2026)
Post tournament
[edit]- To everyone who missed our beautiful game, the emotions, the celebrations, the laughter, the crying, the deception, and the joy. To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness. Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.
- Gianni Infantino quoted on FIFA World Cup 2026: FIFA President message, Fifa official (26 July 2026)
