The FIFA World Cup 2026 was always going to be unprecedented. Three host nations, 16 cities and 48 teams across an entire continent. What nobody quite expected was how much drama would happen off the pitch. The tournament kicked off amid an ongoing US-Iran conflict, Africa's top referee was denied entry to America, fans have paid record prices for tickets and the three co-hosts - the US, Canada and Mexico - are fighting a trade war of their own. Arnold Gay speaks to correspondents Matthew Mohan, Mitch McCann and Toni Waterman to unpack the politics, problems and blemishes behind the beautiful game.

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