The 2026 World Cup Under Capitalism: The Most Expensive World Cup... and the Least Humane

The 2026 World Cup Under Capitalism: The Most Expensive World Cup... and the Least Humane

In the past, sport, and football in particular, used to be defined through the technical characteristics of each national team. It was said that the Italian team was distinguished by the strength of its defensive line, Brazil by the skill and artistry of its players, Germany by discipline and determination until the final moment, while African teams were known for their physical power and their ability to surprise audiences with their results.

Today, however, after sport in general, and football in particular, has turned into a massive market for investment and profit-making, and alongside the dominance of the capitalist system and the growing influence of the right wing at the level of society and relations of production, discussions related to sport have come to reflect the very same premises produced by the prevailing economic structure: the rise of right-wing tendencies, the deepening of racist discourses, and the widening of the gap between peoples, nationalities, and different components. This confirms once again that the class superstructure of society is nothing but a reflection of its economic base.

These phenomena were manifested more clearly in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where support for or opposition to any national team became linked to the history of its country and the role of its authority in international balances and conflicts. Many unresolved issues, such as national, religious, or geographic conflicts, also turned into justifications for supporting or opposing teams upon winning or losing, whereas this phenomenon was not as pronounced in previous tournaments despite the existence of the same problems.

From a Popular Game to a Capitalist Commodity

The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, witnessed dozens of crises and problems from its very start, most of which were linked to the United States as a country facing various crises, a decline in its international standing, an intensification of global economic competition, as well as its conduct with the mentality of an international policeman and its imposition of policies of hegemony, intimidation, and militarism in various fields.

Among the most prominent of these problems were the logistical and political crises that sparked widespread controversy in political, media, and public circles from the start of the tournament, foremost among them the visa crisis and border procedures characterized by chaos, where fans, officials, referees, and even players faced obstacles at airports. One prominent example was the Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan being denied entry to the United States and sent back despite possessing all the legal documents certified by FIFA.

Some national teams, such as Iraq, Iran, and Senegal, were also subjected to investigations and strict inspection and monitoring procedures, and the trips of hundreds of fans from several countries, including Scotland, Algeria, and Senegal, were cancelled due to visa denials, despite the large sums they had spent on match tickets and accommodation.

One of the most criticized aspects of the 2026 World Cup was the increase in the number of participating teams to 48, a decision that led to a decline in the tournament's technical level, since the primary motive behind the expansion was maximizing profits and investments rather than developing the sport or promoting cultural exchange between peoples. Adding two breaks during matches was also not intended to give players rest or protect their health; it was intended to increase commercial advertising revenue. In addition, the use of a hijab-wearing child during the tournament's ceremonies drew criticism as an attempt to appease Saudi Arabia and Qatar, reflecting how economic and political interests were placed above human rights and children's rights.

The Logic of Profit and Hegemony Overshadows Sporting Values

It comes as no surprise that the United States, which views itself as the policeman of the global capitalist system, approached the organization of the tournament with the very same mentality, and this was reflected in the distribution of matches. Of the 104 matches in the 2026 World Cup, Mexico and Canada each hosted only 13 matches, while the United States hosted 78 matches, meaning that the largest share of economic returns and investments went to corporations, capital, and the American state.

The tournament also witnessed unprecedented interventions by political officials, including the cancellation of a red card shown to a player on the American national team by a decision of President Donald Trump. On the revenue front, the tournament's profits, from the end of the group stage through the transition from the 48-team phase to the round of 32, exceeded the total profits of the 2022 Qatar World Cup before its final match. Ticket prices reached unprecedented levels: according to a French report, the price of a final match ticket reached 9,717 euros, while the cheapest ticket cost 3,496 euros, and prices for the private boxes reserved for officials, royalty, presidents, and the wealthy reached record levels (Source: the French network RMC Sport).

Accommodation and travel costs between the three host countries, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, also rose sharply, making the tournament appear as a World Cup for the wealthy and stripping it of much of its popular spirit. The long distances between the host countries likewise had a negative impact on players' readiness and technical performance.

By contrast, the tournament's opening ceremony in Mexico presented a distinctive artistic performance that won the admiration of audiences around the world, particularly with the participation of global star Shakira, who lent the ceremony a distinctive festive atmosphere through her songs and performances. This can be considered one of the tournament's most notable positive aspects.

The File of Workers' Rights and Security in Mexico

International human rights organizations, including the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers, seriously discussed the conditions of unregistered workers. Several reports revealed that the contracting companies responsible for renovating stadiums, including the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico, employed undocumented migrants from Haiti and Venezuela without providing them with health protections or the necessary safety standards. FIFA was also accused of obstructing inspection processes aimed at verifying the conditions and rights of these workers. At the same time, serious security concerns loomed over several Mexican cities, such as Guadalajara, due to attacks by organized criminal groups.

Among the other notable developments accompanying the 2026 World Cup was the suppression of protests organized by teachers' unions in Mexico hours before the tournament's opening. These protests prompted Mexican authorities to deploy thousands of security and riot-control forces around airports and stadiums. The protests came in objection to the enormous sums spent on organizing the World Cup, at a time when citizens in Mexico were suffering from deteriorating living standards.

Conclusion

The 2026 World Cup clearly reveals that capitalism is no longer content with turning labor and nature into commodities; it has extended to commodifying sport, culture, and human emotions as well. What was supposed to be an occasion for bringing peoples closer together and promoting values of solidarity and peace has become an arena for expanding the political influence of major powers, maximizing the profits of monopolistic corporations, and entrenching social inequality. Restoring sport's humane role requires freeing it from the logic of maximum profit and the dominance of capital, and returning it to its original function as a social, cultural, and human right that serves peoples, rather than a new means for accumulating wealth and reinforcing class hegemony. Under the capitalist system, the World Cup is no longer merely a football tournament; it has become a mirror reflecting the contradictions and crises of this system, confirming that the struggle for a just sport cannot be separated from the broader struggle for a more just, equal, and humane society.

Lula Hamid
Former football player in the Iraqi league.