That timing matters: because the event falls within the FIFA international calendar, clubs would be required to release players for national team duty.

That could reshape the competitive balance in Southeast Asian football.

Unlike the region’s existing championship , which has often been played outside the formal FIFA window and has therefore struggled to secure the release of overseas-based players, the new tournament is being positioned as a competition where teams can call up top talent from abroad. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the aim was to give football in Southeast Asia “a real boost” and help the region “shine on the global stage.”

The launch follows a memorandum of understanding on regional football development signed by FIFA and ASEAN during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim present as chair of the bloc. 

The agreement also covers broader priorities such as integrity in the game, match safety and education through football.

FIFA has yet to reveal the tournament format, but the early outline already points to a demanding calendar. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is set to arrive only weeks after the traditional ASEAN Championship, which is scheduled from July 24 to August 26, 2026. 

That means Southeast Asian national teams could find themselves contesting two major regional tournaments in quick succession.

That tournament’s current grouping is already set: defending champions Vietnam are in Group A with Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and the winners of a playoff between Timor-Leste and Brunei, while Thailand are in Group B with Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos.

The crowded schedule could test squads and coaching staffs, but it also signals FIFA’s growing interest in a football market of roughly 700 million people. 

That’s the worry of Jim McCarthy, founder of Impresario Strategic Growth Service and marketing expert, raised in a conversation with Global South World. His view is that the tournament’s challenge isn’t only “high ticket prices”, but the full cost of attendance. “It’s not just the tickets but the travel, the hotels,” he said, noting that high-demand events push prices up across the board, from Airbnbs to transport.

McCarthy argues FIFA may be leaning too heavily on an American pricing reality. “The US sports culture is different…people are used to paying a lot for sports tickets,” he said, adding that FIFA could see it as a financial opportunity. The risk, he said, is misreading the audience. “The audience for the World Cup is actually a global audience, not just an American audience…that conflict is going to be a challenge for marketing the tournament,” especially if international supporters feel priced out of group-stage matches, the very games most likely to draw travelling fans.

But the bigger wild card, McCarthy says, is politics and whether fans feel welcome. “Any friction or barrier that people feel about going to a live event is gonna make it harder to sell that event,” he said. In his view, people don’t need much encouragement to stay home when the trip is already expensive; even small anxieties can tip the decision.

That anxiety has been further increased by a year of harder-edged US policy and global tension. From tariff fights and tougher entry rules to expanding military confrontations.

From the last quarter of 2025 and early 2026, the Donald Trump-led government issued new restrictions on entry for certain foreign nationals. Even though there was widespread criticism about these policies, and their consequent ripple effects on travel and events like the World Cup, most stood unchanged or with very little changes.

And the Middle East war is now bleeding directly into football. Iran’s participation has become a live issue. Iran’s sports minister has said the national team would not take part “under no circumstances,” even as other Iranian officials have suggested they could still play if matches were moved out of the US.

For McCarthy, that’s the heart of the 2026 test, FIFA can sell tickets, but it still has to sell a feeling that fans from everywhere belong. “You want people to feel welcome…you want them to feel that they’ll be taken care of,” he said, arguing the tournament could also be an opportunity “to make football fans around the world feel that they belong here.”

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 through to July 19, yet with barely three months away, US President Trump is on the geopolitical front, waging war alongside Israel against Iran.

Take the 2018 FIFA World Cup, for example. One group-stage match — Brazil versus Switzerland — attracted about 613,700 illegal viewers, the largest illicit audience recorded for a group-stage game during the tournament. 

Football and other major sporting events are particularly vulnerable because they draw huge global audiences watching in real time.

“Sports broadcasting represents one of the most economically significant sectors of the global entertainment industry,” the report said, noting that the worldwide market for sports broadcast rights was worth about $62.6 billion in 2024. 

Billions in lost revenue

The economic impact of piracy is substantial. 

In a joint industry submission cited by the report, organisations including the NFL, NBA and UFC estimated that live sports piracy causes the global sports industry to lose up to $28 billion in potential annual revenue. 

Broadcast rights form the financial backbone of modern professional sports, as revenues from television and streaming deals fund league operations, athlete salaries, youth development programmes and high-quality production of live coverage.

Piracy undermines that system by allowing unauthorised distributors to provide the same content without paying for rights.

“Piracy fundamentally undermines fair competition by allowing unauthorised distributors to offer sports content without bearing the costs of acquiring legitimate rights,” the report said. 

How illegal streams spread

Sports piracy usually begins when legitimate broadcasts are captured and retransmitted online through websites, mobile applications or social media platforms without permission.

The report says piracy also occurs through illegal IPTV services , third-party websites embedding official streams, and unauthorised public screenings in commercial venues that have not purchased licences. 

Technological advances have made the problem worse. Affordable equipment and widely available streaming software allow individuals or organised networks to retransmit high-quality video feeds that rival official broadcasts.

Social media platforms and messaging apps can then spread links to illegal streams rapidly, reaching thousands of viewers before authorities can intervene. 

Real-time enforcement challenge

Sports broadcasts face unique vulnerabilities because their commercial value depends almost entirely on live viewing.

Unlike films or television shows, a match generates little interest once the result is known.

“By the time enforcement mechanisms identify and remove unauthorised streams, much or all of the commercial harm has already occurred,” the report said. 

Piracy networks also exploit international jurisdictional gaps, often operating across multiple countries with servers, payment systems and operators located in different places.

Even when authorities shut down a piracy site, operators frequently reappear under new domain names or hosting providers, creating what the report describes as a persistent enforcement challenge. 

As the value of sports broadcasting rights continues to rise, the report warns that tackling illegal streams — particularly around global football tournaments — will require stronger international cooperation, technological tools and faster enforcement systems. 

“Sports broadcasting serves important cultural and social functions, bringing communities together and providing shared experiences,” the report said. “As technology continues to evolve and piracy operations grow more sophisticated, the challenge will intensify without proactive policy responses.”

He stressed that South Africa is not subject to any US travel ban, and urged fans to rally behind the national team. “Bafana Bafana have qualified for the first time since 2002, and we want to see South Africans travelling to the Americas in their numbers to support our national team,” he said. “Football must unite people, not divide them even further.”

The comments come as the Trump administration has tightened entry rules for citizens of certain countries, citing national security concerns, fuelling debate about how such measures could affect travel for fans and teams ahead of the tournament.

They also follow broader diplomatic friction, including reports that President Donald Trump said South Africa would not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami.

The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11th to July 19th, 2026, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

Infantino’s comments come as parts of Mexico have seen roadblocks, burned vehicles and clashes after the Mexican military operation that authorities said killed the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has insisted there is “no risk” to visitors, while Infantino said he had spoken with her and reiterated FIFA’s “full confidence” in Mexico as a host.

Mexican security officials and media reports have put the death toll from the violence at at least 70, while security concerns have already affected sporting events, including the cancellation of a World Cup diving event scheduled in the Guadalajara area.

Mexico is set to co-host the tournament with the United States and Canada, staging 13 matches across Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, including four in Guadalajara, one of the host cities in Jalisco state.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said there are “all guarantees” for safe hosting of the tournament, despite recent security challenges.

However, the deadly violence that erupted after federal forces killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), shook parts of western Mexico, especially in Guadalajara and nearby regions. The unrest included roadblocks, burning vehicles, and clashes between cartel members and security forces.

Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s three World Cup host cities alongside Mexico City and Monterrey, is scheduled to host four matches this summer, including high-profile group–stage games featuring teams like Mexico, Spain, South Korea and Uruguay.

The city’s stadium and surrounding areas saw heightened tension as authorities responded with increased security and temporary suspensions of local football matches.

FIFA and local authorities are monitoring the evolving situation closely. While the sport ’s governing body has not announced plans to remove Mexico from its hosting duties, security concerns have been raised, and discussions are reportedly ongoing about how to reassure visiting fans, teams, and officials.

Despite the concerns, preparations continue. Organisers and governments are planning enhanced safety measures, from military and police deployments to advanced surveillance technologies designed specifically for the tournament. Experts stress that major international events like this often involve layered security planning, with cooperation between host nations critical for success.

Mexico’s 2026 World Cup matches are still scheduled to take place in the country, but recent violence, particularly in Jalisco, has intensified scrutiny of security arrangements. With just months until kick-off, authorities are under pressure to restore confidence, reassure international visitors, and ensure safe conduct of the world’s biggest football event.

During FIFA’s latest ticketing phase, known as the Random Selection Draw, some group-stage seats were priced as high as $700, while tickets for the final match in New Jersey were listed for thousands of dollars.

“These primary market prices are already, by far, the most expensive in World Cup history,” said Henry Bushnell, a senior writer for The Athletic.

Facing backlash , FIFA added a limited number of $60 tickets for each match. But critics say the gesture has not gone far enough.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged FIFA to take stronger steps to keep the tournament affordable. “As someone who used to save up for England tickets, I encourage FIFA to do more to make tickets more affordable so that the World Cup doesn’t lose touch with the genuine supporters,” Starmer wrote on X.

Fan groups have also expressed alarm . Brian Hexsel, president of the American Outlaws, a major US soccer supporters organisation, called the prices “absolutely insane.” “My biggest fear is that FIFA has actually stopped the growing of the sport in the US,” Hexsel said.

While stadiums are expected to fill regardless, critics argue that the atmosphere could suffer if traditional supporters are priced out.

Still, FIFA insists demand remains overwhelming. The organisation said more than 500 million ticket requests were submitted during the Random Selection Draw, suggesting interest remains high even amid concerns about affordability.

Oke Göttlich, a vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), said Europe should begin a serious conversation about whether participating is still appropriate. “For me, that time has definitely come,” Göttlich told German newspaper Hamburger Morgenpost, urging leaders to “seriously consider and discuss” a boycott.

He compared the current moment to Cold War-era Olympic boycotts, adding, “By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion.”

The boycott debate has been fuelled by Trump’s aggressive posturing toward Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Trump has suggested annexing the island and imposed tariffs on European nations that opposed his plans, including Germany.

German MP Jürgen Hardt said the national team might consider skipping the tournament “as a last resort” to bring Trump “to his senses.”

In France , left-wing lawmaker Eric Coquerel also called for the World Cup to be moved out of the US. “Seriously, can we really imagine going to play the footie World Cup in a country that attacks its neighbours, threatens to invade Greenland, undermines international law?” Coquerel wrote on X.

Concerns have also been raised over Trump’s immigration crackdown and claims of abuses by federal enforcement agencies. Swiss academic Mark Pieth warned that the political climate does not encourage fans to travel.

“What we are seeing domestically, the marginalisation of political opponents, abuses by immigration services , doesn’t exactly encourage fans to go there,” Pieth said.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has also weighed in, writing on X, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

A poll in Germany found 47% of respondents would support a boycott if Trump moved to annex Greenland, while a petition in the Netherlands calling for the Dutch team to boycott the event gathered more than 150,000 signatures. Meanwhile, no European country has announced a formal boycott.

The petition reflects a wider atmosphere of discontent in parts of Europe over a string of Trump-era diplomatic tensions. A flashpoint has been the US President ’s persistent rhetoric about Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, which has alarmed European capitals and fuelled speculation about whether politics and sport can truly be kept apart.

Yet despite the heightened rhetoric, official positions remain cautious. National football associations and governments across Europe have so far ruled out formal boycotts. France’s Sports Minister has reiterated that the French team intends to participate, stressing the importance of keeping international sport separate from political disputes. Likewise, Belgium has dismissed boycott talk “at this stage”, with its federation focused instead on preparation for the tournament.

The German Football Federation (DFB) has provided perhaps the most high-profile spark in the debate. A senior DFB official, Oke Göttlich, has publicly called for a serious discussion about the possibility of withdrawal, arguing that Trump’s actions, including foreign policy and immigration stances, warrant a firm stance from Europe’s football community. However, this view is not official DFB policy, and the federation’s leadership has stopped short of committing to any boycott.

Football’s governing bodies themselves, such as UEFA and FIFA, have signalled reluctance to let political disputes disrupt the sport . FIFA president Gianni Infantino has maintained that the tournament should go ahead with full participation, and European football leaders are reportedly discussing responses within existing structures rather than pledging boycotts.

In short, while grassroots campaigns and political voices in Europe are pushing the idea of a boycott, the consensus among governing bodies and executives in several major footballing nations is that withdrawing from the 2026 World Cup remains unlikely. The debate highlights the growing tension between sports diplomacy and geopolitical realities, but as of early 2026, participation by UEFA teams still appears highly probable.

This trend shows how intensifying human activity is putting ever greater pressure on Earth’s water and land systems. But what’s driving this growth, and what does it mean for our future?

Several forces are pushing freshwater demand upward. Agriculture continues to be the heaviest water user globally. As food production expands to feed growing populations, more irrigation, fertilisers, and water-intensive crops are deployed.

Industry, too, plays a big role. Manufacturing, energy production, and processing all require water—not just for cooling and rinsing, but as a direct input into many industrial processes.

Urbanisation adds another layer of demand. As cities grow, water is needed not only for households, but for infrastructure , landscaping, public services, and sanitation.

Meanwhile, climate change adds uncertainty. Erratic rainfall, shifting weather patterns, and warming trends affect how much water is available, when, and where.

According to Our World in Data , global freshwater withdrawals have climbed sharply since the mid-20th century, though growth has begun to slow in some regions. Still, pressures remain high, especially in countries with limited renewable water resources.

A recent paper in MDPI highlights that shifts in water use efficiency, technological adoption, and policy interventions will be crucial for balancing demand with sustainability.

The UN World Water Development Report 2024 also emphasises water’s role not just in agriculture and industry, but in peace, stability, and equitable development. It argues that water, when managed fairly, can support social cohesion, but mismanagement can fuel conflicts.

These global dynamics don’t exist in a vacuum. In many parts of the world, water scarcity is already a driver of migration, social stress, and geopolitical tension. In the Horn of Africa, for example, prolonged droughts have contributed to displacement and competition over shared river systems.

Meanwhile, the push for green technology has implications for water use. Solar panel manufacturing, battery production, and data centres all demand water, sometimes in unexpected amounts.

In parts of Africa, researchers have begun estimating water consumption tied to computing infrastructure, underscoring how even digital growth is connected to natural resources.

The decisive goal came from Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus, whose strike ensured Ghana’s place in the tournament and marked the country's fifth World Cup appearance since its debut in 2006.

Ghana topped Group I in the African qualifiers with 25 points, finishing six points ahead of Madagascar. The Black Stars now join Algeria, Egypt , Morocco, and Tunisia as the African nations already qualified for the 2026 edition.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first to feature 48 teams, is set to be jointly hosted by the United States , Canada, and Mexico.