Time and perspective are required.This could still end up as a brilliant World Cup, known more for lifting the beautiful game to a new height in America than FIFA‘s greed, social unrest and Gianni Infantino‘s broken promises.Lionel Messi brought international football to 88,000 fans in Alabama before the World Cupgetty‘Chaos’ threatening to take over World Cup But as a four-year countdown clock finally approaches :00, Infantino’s tease of ‘the most inclusive’ World Cup in history is haunting the first week of a massive two-month tournament.“This will be the biggest, the most inclusive, the greatest FIFA World Cup ever,” Infantino said in May.“Not only three host countries and 16 host cities, and millions of people coming and billions of people watching. But in the three host countries we will have 25 communities (an) integral part of the World Cup. And all of these communities and many, many others will embrace the world.”Politicians have been breaking promises for centuries, so bending the truth is nothing new. What is unique is charging thousands of dollars for a ticket to a soccer game in an NFL stadium — when football matches in England normally cost in the $20 to $100 range — while Thursday’s World Cup opener in Mexico City could be derailed by protestors.“Mexico wants to project an image to the world that doesn’t exactly square with reality,” Carlos Pérez Ricart, a Mexican political analyst at the Mexican Center for Research and Economic Education, told The Associated Press. “The World Cup is putting the president in a vulnerable situation … The government is under extreme pressure.”Delaying or postponing Mexico vs South Africa would be a tremendous blow for FIFA, which is attempting to pull off the biggest sports tournament in history during a time of international wars and simmering tension in the United States.‘Always brought the world together’ “This tournament has always brought the world together and we will once again unite everyone,” Infantino recently posted on his Instagram account, which has 4.3 million followers and captures the personality of a 56-year-old from Switzerland who has a close relationship with US President Donald Trump.The World Cup is the World Cup because it brilliantly pits country vs country, makes paid professional clubs disappear, and ultimately unites football fans across the globe.Gianni Infantino and FIFA are dealing with ‘chaos’ as the World Cup beginsgettyFootball fever could erase months of fan frustrationgettyBut FIFA is dealing with tension before the Mexico openergettyLionel Messi being serenaded by 88,000 fans in the heart of SEC country in Auburn, Alabama on Tuesday was a powerful reminder of what the 2026 World Cup can still become. It’s also worth remembering that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was shadowed for months by human rights controversies, then ultimately lifted up by an all-time classic final between Messi’s Argentina and Kylian Mbappe‘s France that inspired 1.5 billion viewers across the globe.But if the 2026 World Cup is truly going to be ‘for everyone,’ then it must be for every one. Iran is set to play at least three games in the United States.On Tuesday, the country’s national soccer federation said that FIFA had revoked the ticket allocation for its fans.Travel issues affect World Cup ref Omar Artan is suddenly a name known around the world, after the African referee of the year was denied entry into the USA after landing in Miami.Countdown to the World Cup104 Super Bowls in six weeks – Brian T Smith argues that the Super Bowl might just be about to be blown out of the waterRanking the World Cup venues – from New York to Los Angeles, a string of spectacular venues will play host to the 2026 World CupOver and Elbowed Out – exclusive interview with the USMNT hero whose 1994 World Cup ended with a fractured skullChris Richards Exclusive – the Crystal Palace defender opens up on his journey to the top, next stop a home World Cup for the kid from Birmingham, Alabama“Every few hours it’s another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs,” former England and Arsenal striker Ian Wright posted.“You know something I’m laughing but it’s not funny, it’s actually not funny and something has to be said. The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.”He added: “You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.Will 104 matches make the chaos disappear? “This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done.”Artan, who is from Somali, arrived for the World Cup with a diplomatic passport and a single-entry US visa for the tournament.“We’re striking that balance between making sure that any bad actors that try to come into the country under the guise of the World Cup will not get access to the United States,” said Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force on the World Cup.Messi led his nation to glory at the last edition of the tournament in QatarGettyWhile planned protests, a barred ref and revoked tickets dominated headlines for a World Cup that has long been plagued by accusations of price gouging, it took a tentative last-minute deal to prevent a workers strike at Los Angeles Stadium before the United States Men’s National Team opener vs Paraguay on Friday. FIFA chose to make the 2026 World Cup unaffordable for football diehards and daily workers across the globe. Infantino has promised inclusivity and unity as the USA, Mexico and Canada host the largest major sports tournament in history.If FIFA embarrasses and damages the beautiful game, this must be Infantino’s final World Cup. World Cup WhatsAppDon't miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings. Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.All 104 games at the 2026 World Cup this summer will be live on talkSPORT, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app.Stay up to date with all the latest World Cup tips & predictions, World Cup Top Goalscorer Odds, World Cup Group Winner Odds and all the best World Cup Betting Offers and Free Bets in our dedicated betting hub