The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest football tournament ever, with 48 national teams battling across North America between June 11 and July 19.

The month-long spectacle, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will end at the New York/New Jersey venue after matches in major cities including Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City and Monterrey.

The tournament spans an entire continent and is expected to draw large crowds from around the world. The United States has already warned international fans that they will need to fulfill all travel and visa requirements well in advance to attend what officials are describing as a record-breaking event.

Nigeria will not feature at the tournament after losing their qualification bid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was reported.

Thursday’s review of the US Department of State website shows Nigerians are still among nationals subject to limited entry under Presidential Proclamation 10998, a restriction in effect since January 1, 2026.

The Federal Government had in February said it was engaging the United States through diplomatic channels for the removal of Nigeria from the list affected by Washington’s immigrant visa restrictions. Three months on and weeks before the tournament there has been no visible change in policy.

That means sports writers and fans could be restricted but they can still apply for visas under some conditions, although there is no guarantee of approval. Travel guidance for some other countries like Ghana appears more detailed and less restrictive.

The Department of State said it is committed to using strict visa screening and national security procedures to protect the country and tournament participants.

Meanwhile scientists and climate experts have revived fears of dangerous heat conditions at the tournament. In an open letter reported by BBC Sport, medical experts, climate researchers and sports scientists have called on FIFA to improve the heat protection measures suggested by FIFPRO.

Andrew Simms, coordinator of the letter, said, “Player safety is an immediate and urgent concern because things can go wrong very quickly when people overheat. “We are concerned that FIFA is gambling with the health and safety of players.

The letter said that about 25% of matches could be played in temperatures above 26°C Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a leading indicator of heat stress. Scientists warned that about five matches could go above 28°C WBGT, a level deemed unsafe for professional football.

Researchers say the risk of extreme heat is nearly twice that of the 1994 World Cup in North America. Thunderstorms and wildfire smoke have also been identified as possible hazards.

FIFA said it would implement a “tiered heat mitigation model” and dedicated meteorological monitoring across host cities. Kick-off times have been scheduled to avoid the hottest part of the day and to favour those stadiums with a roof wherever possible.

But critics say climate change is raising serious questions about the future of summer sports events.

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World football governing body FIFA has announced an expanded anti-doping programme for the 2026 World Cup, with new and renewed partnerships across the tournament’s three host countries.

The United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA said the programme would be one of the most comprehensive anti-doping operations in the history of the competition, covering activities prior to and during the tournament.

FIFA said in a statement on its website Wednesday, May 13, that it would continue working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and would enter into formal agreements with Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s national anti-doping body, MEX-NADO.

The football body said the partnerships were designed to ensure consistent testing standards at all host venues.

FIFA said the national anti-doping organisations would carry out out-of-competition tests under its authority ahead of the competition.

The agencies will also assist FIFA doping control officers on matchdays in all host cities during the tournament.

FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Emilio Silvero, said cooperation between the organisations was needed to protect the integrity of the tournament.

“Strong partnerships are essential for major international events,” Silvero said.

“Working together with USADA, Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s National Anti-Doping Committee helps to strengthen our global anti-doping efforts and reinforces FIFA’s commitment to fair and clean competition.”

Sport Integrity Canada Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Luke, also welcomed the partnership, saying it would help maintain public confidence in sport.

“We are excited to partner with FIFA and to support Canadian anti-doping controls at the FIFA World Cup,” Luke said.

“Protecting the integrity of sport is a team effort and we are proud to do our bit to keep the game clean on the world’s biggest stage in our own backyard.”

MEX-NADO Executive Director Dr. Juan Manuel Herrera Navarro said the organization was proud to support the tournament in Mexico highlighting the need to ensure fairness and integrity on the world stage.

USADA Chief Executive Officer, Travis T. Tygart, said international cooperation was important in ensuring that players competed fairly.

“This kind of international partnership between like-minded organisations is absolutely critical to make sure that clean players have access to a level playing field on a global stage like FIFA World Cup 2026,” Tygart said.

The expanded anti-doping program will be consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code and international testing standards, with sample collection and enforcement coordinated across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA said.

The organisation added that preparations would continue in advance of the tournament as it works with partners to deliver an integrated testing system designed to safeguard fairness and integrity throughout the competition.

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John Ogu, a former Nigeria midfielder, has blamed both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigeria national football team (the Super Eagles) for the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Reports say that Nigeria’s hopes ended in November 2025 when the Super Eagles lost to DR Congo on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the African play-offs.

Ogu told Brila FM that the campaign fell apart because of deep problems within the federation and a lack of commitment from the players.

He said, “The people in charge of our football aren’t football-oriented and don’t know much about it. That’s what I think.”

“For example, Samuel Eto’o is the FA President in Cameroon, and he knows a lot about football. If you play football and think you’re helping your country, they won’t invite you. This happened to André Onana.

“I think the people in charge of our football need to do a better job. NFF can also blame the players.

“NFF is more about the structure.” I won’t even blame the NFF completely because you know why? It is a dream come true to represent Nigeria.

“They do their best, but it might not be enough.”

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