The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held for the first time across three countries and will feature a record 48 teams. So far, 13 participants are known, including debutants Uzbekistan and Jordan. Qualifications are ongoing, with Serbia starting their campaign with a draw against Albania and a win over Andorra. All participants are expected to be known by the end of November. Besides football, other sports news are mentioned, but the focus is on the preparations and qualifications for the World Cup.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the inclusivity and expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and three host countries, highlighting the opportunities for smaller nations like Uzbekistan and Jordan to participate. They also focus on the social and cultural impact of the event and the importance of fair play and sportsmanship.
Center: Center-leaning sources provide balanced coverage focusing on the facts of the tournament’s expansion, the qualification progress, and Serbia’s performance. They highlight the logistical aspects of hosting the event in three countries and the record number of teams, presenting a neutral overview of the preparations and matches.
Right: Right-leaning media tend to emphasize national pride, focusing on Serbia’s qualification campaign and the performance of Serbian players. They may also highlight the competitive nature of the tournament and the importance of strong national teams, sometimes expressing skepticism about the expansion diluting the quality of the competition.
