Vancouver hosts FIFA congress with expanded World Cup under scrutiny

VANCOUVER, Canada, April 28 : FIFA's member associations meet in Vancouver on Thursday for their annual congress, a usually routine gathering that carries greater weight this year with the 2026 World Cup less than two months away and several questions still hanging over the first 48-team edition of the tournament.

The biggest World Cup in history will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

One of the clearest concerns is cost.

The sheer scale of staging a tournament across North America, with long-haul travel, differing tax regimes and significant operational demands, has prompted unease among some participating nations.

UEFA has passed on concerns from several European associations that teams could find it difficult to break even unless they progress deep into the competition.

FIFA, for its part, is expected to point to the unprecedented commercial strength of the tournament. 

The governing body has indicated it is prepared to raise prize money and participation payments beyond already record levels, presenting the expanded World Cup as a vehicle for wider redistribution rather than simply a bigger payday for the strongest teams.

Its argument is that more nations, more matches and greater revenues will ultimately mean more money flowing into development programmes and solidarity funding across the global game.

Iran's participation is the most politically sensitive item on FIFA's agenda.

Iran have qualified for the World Cup, but security and travel concerns around their matches in the United States have prompted officials in Tehran to seek guarantees and request alternative venues.

FIFA has rejected any change to the schedule, saying teams are expected to play as planned.

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