The World Cup

 The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the most significant sporting events ever held. For the first time in history, the tournament will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will also be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams instead of 32, making it the largest edition ever organized.

Football remains the world's most popular sport. Every four years, billions of people watch the World Cup while national teams spend years attempting to qualify. For many countries, success at the tournament becomes part of their national identity and collective memory. Famous victories and dramatic moments are remembered for generations.

One reason football is often called "the people's sport" is its accessibility. Unlike many sports that require expensive equipment or facilities, football can be played almost anywhere. A ball and an open space are often enough. This simplicity has helped football become deeply embedded in communities around the world, bringing together people from different cultures, social classes, and economic backgrounds.

Hosting the World Cup can bring major economic benefits. Countries often invest heavily in airports, roads, public transport systems, hotels, and infrastructure. Supporters argue that these projects create jobs, stimulate economic growth, attract tourism, and improve facilities that remain useful long after the tournament ends. A successful World Cup can also improve a country's international reputation and attract foreign investment.

However, the World Cup is often surrounded by controversy. Critics contend that governments spend enormous amounts of public money on stadiums and infrastructure while healthcare, education, and housing may receive less funding. Some host nations have accumulated large debts after major sporting events, raising questions about whether the economic benefits justify the costs.

The 2026 World Cup also faces several challenges. Security remains a major concern because matches will take place across three countries and multiple cities. Coordinating transportation, border crossings, and crowd management will require unprecedented cooperation. Environmental groups have also raised concerns about the tournament's carbon footprint and long-term sustainability. Some projects have also generated concerns about community displacement and worker welfare.

Despite these challenges, many experts believe the tournament could have a transformative impact. Governments often view the World Cup as a diplomatic opportunity to improve international relationships and project influence. Nevertheless, the event is likely to face intense public scrutiny. At a time when debates over immigration, trade, and national identity remain prominent, the tournament demonstrates how sport can act as a bridge between societies.

1. FOOTBALL & GLOBAL EVENTS

Students A strongly believe the World Cup creates positive change.

Students B strongly believe the World Cup costs too much money.

Change partners and discuss your views.

2. WORLD CUP CHALLENGES

What challenges do countries face when hosting major sporting events?

-Challenge-Impact                  -Possible Solution
Security

Public spending

Environmental concerns

Tourism pressure

Transport

Housing

3. HOST COUNTRIES

Rank the host countries from most to least likely to benefit.

  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • United States

Explain your ranking.

4. VOCABULARY

Part A

  1. accessibility — a. Working together toward a common goal
  2. collective memory — b. Public opinion about a person, organization, or country
  3. embedded — c. Systems such as roads, airports, and utilities
  4. infrastructure — d. Existing deeply within something
  5. reputation — e. Shared recollection of past events
  6. contend — f. Public disagreement or debate
  7. controversy — g. The quality of being easy to use or obtain
  8. cooperation — h. To argue or claim

Part B

  1. sustainability — i. Well-being of individuals
  2. displacement — j. Related to international relations
  3. welfare — k. Careful examination or criticism
  4. transformative — l. Long-term environmental responsibility
  5. diplomatic — m. Forced movement from one's home
  6. scrutiny — n. Able to create significant change
  7. prominent — o. Well-known or important

5. SYNONYM MATCH

  1. controversy — a. argue
  2. transformative — b. image
  3. cooperation — c. dispute
  4. scrutiny — d. availability
  5. reputation — e. responsibility
  6. contend — f. major change
  7. prominent — g. examination
  8. accessibility — h. partnership
  9. sustainability — i. well-known
  10. significant — j. important

6. DISCUSSION – BARCELONA HOSTING THE 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES 

Discussion Questions

  1. How did the Olympic Games change Barcelona?
  2. What benefits did the city receive?
  3. What problems were created after the Olympics?
  4. Do you think the transformation was worth the cost?
  5. Could the 2026 World Cup create a similar legacy for the host cities?
  6. Which is more important: economic growth or protecting local communities?

7. QUESTIONS

  1. Why is the 2026 World Cup considered unique?
  2. Why is football called "the people's sport"?
  3. What economic benefits can hosting a World Cup bring?
  4. What criticisms are often directed at host governments?
  5. Why are environmental groups concerned about the tournament?
  6. How could the World Cup improve a country's reputation?
  7. Can sport genuinely improve international relations?
  8. Should governments spend public money on major sporting events?
  9. Which host country is likely to benefit the most?
  10. Will future World Cups become even larger?

8. NEW DEBATE ACTIVITY — WORLD CUP BID

GOVERNMENT DECISION MEETING

Student A: Minister of Finance

Student B: Minister of Tourism

Student C: Mayor

Student D: Citizen Representative

Scenario

Your country is considering a bid for the 2038 FIFA World Cup.

Possible Advantages

  • Increased tourism
  • New infrastructure
  • International prestige
  • Job creation
  • Foreign investment

Possible Disadvantages

  • High costs
  • Environmental damage
  • Public debt
  • Security concerns
  • Displacement of communities

Discussion Questions

  • Should the country submit a bid?
  • Are the economic benefits realistic?
  • Should taxpayers pay for stadiums?
  • What legacy will remain after the tournament?

9. WORLD CUP UNDER PRESSURE: CONVINCE THE GROUP

Role-Play Debate

Student A supports hosting the World Cup.

Students B/C/D oppose it.

Student A must respond and persuade the group.

Scenario 1: Environmental Concerns

Problems:

  • Carbon emissions
  • International travel
  • Stadium construction
  • Energy consumption

Your task:

Convince the group that the benefits outweigh the environmental costs.

Scenario 2: Public Spending

Problems:

  • Hospitals need funding
  • Housing shortages
  • Rising taxes
  • Government debt

Your task:

Explain why public investment in the World Cup is justified.

Scenario 3: Security Risks

Problems:

  • Terrorism concerns
  • Crowd control
  • International tensions
  • Cybersecurity threats

Your task:

Defend the decision to host the tournament.

Scenario 4: Tourism Benefits

Problems:

  • Tourism is temporary
  • Visitor numbers may be exaggerated
  • Infrastructure may become unused

Your task:

Convince the group that the World Cup creates long-term benefits.

Scenario 5: Political Controversy

Problems:

  • Governments use sport for political purposes
  • Human rights concerns
  • International criticism
  • Public protests

Your task:

Defend the importance of hosting the tournament.

10. SCENARIOS — WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF THIS HAPPENED?

1. STADIUM COST OVERRUN

Your city planned to spend €500 million on a new stadium.

The final cost reaches €1.5 billion.

→ Who is responsible?

→ Should the project continue?

→ How would the public react?

2. EMPTY STADIUMS

After the World Cup, several stadiums are rarely used.

→ Was the investment worthwhile?

→ How could the stadiums be used?

→ Should FIFA help pay for them?

3. SECURITY INCIDENT

A major security threat forces several matches to be postponed.

→ How should authorities respond?

→ Is safety more important than the tournament schedule?

→ Would fans understand the decision?

4. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTS

Large groups protest against the World Cup because of emissions and construction projects.

→ Do they have a valid argument?

→ Should sporting events be limited for environmental reasons?

→ How should organizers respond?

5. TOURISM BOOM

Your city receives millions of visitors during the tournament.

→ What are the benefits?

→ What problems could occur?

→ How should the city prepare?

6. POLITICAL BOYCOTT

Several countries threaten to boycott the tournament for political reasons.

→ Should sport and politics be separated?

→ Would a boycott be effective?

→ How would FIFA respond?

11. FILL IN THE BLANKS

  1. Famous World Cup victories often become part of a country's __________.
  2. Football's __________ makes it popular in both rich and poor communities.
  3. Governments often invest heavily in transport and other __________ projects.
  4. Critics __________ that public money should be spent on healthcare and education instead.
  5. Hosting a major sporting event often creates political __________.
  6. Organizing a tournament across three countries requires strong __________.
  7. Environmental __________ has become an important issue for international events.
  8. Some construction projects have resulted in the __________ of local residents.
  9. Worker __________ is often discussed during preparations for major events.
  10. Many experts believe the tournament could have a __________ effect on North America.
  11. Governments often use international sporting events for __________ purposes.
  12. The World Cup will likely face intense media __________.
  13. Immigration and border issues remain __________ topics in public debate.
  14. A successful tournament can improve a country's international __________.
  15. Football is deeply __________ in cultures around the world.

12. FINAL DEBATE

Motion

"The FIFA World Cup is primarily a political event rather than a sporting event."

Team A

Support the motion.

Team B

Oppose the motion.

Debate Structure

  1. Opening Statements
  2. Main Arguments
  3. Rebuttals
  4. Audience Questions
  5. Closing Statements

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Goal: Convince the audience that your side is correct.

 The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be one of the most significant sporting events ever held. For the first time in history, the tournament will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It will also be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams instead of 32, making it the largest edition ever organized.

Football remains the world's most popular sport. Every four years, billions of people watch the World Cup while national teams spend years attempting to qualify. For many countries, success at the tournament becomes part of their national identity and collective memory. Famous victories and dramatic moments are remembered for generations.

One reason football is often called "the people's sport" is its accessibility. Unlike many sports that require expensive equipment or facilities, football can be played almost anywhere. A ball and an open space are often enough. This simplicity has helped football become deeply embedded in communities around the world, bringing together people from different cultures, social classes, and economic backgrounds.

Hosting the World Cup can bring major economic benefits. Countries often invest heavily in airports, roads, public transport systems, hotels, and infrastructure. Supporters argue that these projects create jobs, stimulate economic growth, attract tourism, and improve facilities that remain useful long after the tournament ends. A successful World Cup can also improve a country's international reputation and attract foreign investment.

A good example of the impact that major sporting events can have is Spain. Spain hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1982, with matches played in 17 stadiums across the country. Barcelona hosted several important matches at Camp Nou and the Sarrià Stadium, including games involving Argentina, Belgium, Italy, and Brazil. Many people consider the tournament a success because it modernized stadiums, increased tourism, and helped Spain present a modern image to the world during a period of economic development. Ten years later, Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games. The city invested heavily in new roads, beaches, public transport, parks, and housing projects. Events such as athletics were held at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc, basketball at Palau Sant Jordi, and swimming at the Bernat Picornell Pools. Today, many experts consider the Barcelona Olympics one of the most successful examples of a sporting event transforming a city, although some critics argue that increased tourism and rising housing costs have also created long-term challenges.

However, the World Cup is often surrounded by controversy. Critics contend that governments spend enormous amounts of public money on stadiums and infrastructure while healthcare, education, and housing may receive less funding. Some host nations have accumulated large debts after major sporting events, raising questions about whether the economic benefits justify the costs.

The 2026 World Cup also faces several challenges. Security remains a major concern because matches will take place across three countries and multiple cities. Coordinating transportation, border crossings, and crowd management will require unprecedented cooperation. Environmental groups have also raised concerns about the tournament's carbon footprint and long-term sustainability. Some projects have also generated concerns about community displacement and worker welfare.

Despite these challenges, many experts believe the tournament could have a transformative impact. Governments often view the World Cup as a diplomatic opportunity to improve international relationships and project influence. Nevertheless, the event is likely to face intense public scrutiny. At a time when debates over immigration, trade, and national identity remain prominent, the tournament demonstrates how sport can act as a bridge between societies.

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