*Update*: FBI warns of ticket fraud, Ronaldo and Messi shape age debate

The 2026 World Cup has not yet kicked off, but the headlines are coming thick and fast. On Monday evening, the FBI warned of a wave of fake FIFA websites deliberately targeting fans, as KOMO reports. Criminals are mimicking official ticket and registration portals to steal personal data and payment information. Fans should only purchase through verified FIFA channels and be suspicious of links in emails or social networks.

That ticket purchases are not cheap in the first place is shown by a breakdown of the most expensive tickets: Goal lists final tickets for over $30,000 – matches involving Argentina are driving prices particularly high. This makes the 2026 World Cup a financial challenge for many fans, even before travel and accommodation are factored in.

Superstars in focus

In parallel, a fundamental sporting debate is dominating coverage: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are approaching their 40th birthdays and could still play in this World Cup. The Athletic explores the broader context: both superstars are emblematic of an age trend in elite football, where physical care, data science and changing playing styles allow exceptional players to remain active at the highest level for significantly longer. Whether the tournament will actually be their last remains open – the debate about it certainly is not.

Beyond the stars, preparations are also in full swing. In Philadelphia, the Penn Medicine network is preparing for the major medical deployment, as CBS News reports: hospitals and emergency departments are coordinating capacity for hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world. And in Canada, one of the three host countries, the football fan community is experiencing a historic shift, according to The Athletic – what once took place on niche message boards is now a broad popular movement.