The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the world’s biggest international football event, is about to begin. For the first time, this competition is hosted by three nations simultaneously, Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. It is also the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, expanded from the traditional 32. Under the previous format, after the group stage, teams advanced to the round of 16. However, as the number of participating nations has increased, a round of 32 has been added after the group stage, significantly increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104. This World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19, with 39 days, around a week longer than the previous World Cups with 28-31 days, expected to be the most expansive edition yet.

Why the Tournament Expanded

The decision to increase the number of nations in the World Cup was made nine years ago. It was the first core project that Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, pushed forward after taking office. At the time, the FIFA Council approved the plan to replace the 32-team format with a 48-team format, starting from the 2026 World Cup. According to FIFA, this decision was made to make the World Cup suitable for the 21st century. FIFA argued that football is not the exclusive domain of Europe and South America, and that this expansion would help drive global development of the sport. The increased number of slots has enabled more countries from Asia, Africa, and Oceania to participate in the tournament. However, there was criticism that the decision places greater physical strain on players, who are already dealing with many games with their club schedules.

The Last Dance of Football’s Living Legends

This World Cup may serve as the final global stage for legendary players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and South Korea’s captain Son Heung-min. Messi will be 39, attempting to become a champion once more. Ronaldo, at 41, is challenging the limits of age in a final quest to win the World Cup. Meanwhile, Son, at 33, prepares for his fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, drawing on his leadership skills and vast experience to guide the national team one last time. Watching these veterans push their physical limits in pursuit of one last moment of glory is likely to form the emotional core of the tournament, marking the closing chapter of an unforgettable era.

South Korea National Football Team

The Taegeuk Warriors face a challenging Group A schedule, with all matches taking place in the morning (Korea Standard Time):



• June 12, 11:00 AM vs. Czech Republic

• June 19, 10:00 AM vs. Mexico

• June 25, 10:00 AM vs. South Africa

The opening match against the Czech Republic falls during exams, so it is expected that a large number of students will be unable to watch the match. Fortunately, matches against Mexico and South Africa fall after the SeoulTech’s exam period, Meanwhile, morning kick-offs could significantly change viewing habits among Korean fans. According to an online survey conducted by “Panelnow,” fried chicken was overwhelmingly voted as the top food Koreans want to eat while watching football, receiving a massive 70 percent of the total votes. Yet, because this World Cup will be played in the morning, ordering fried chicken during matches may be difficult. Fried chicken will likely be replaced by breakfasts or simple snacks to keep spirits high during the early matches.

The World Cup with the Highest Carbon Emissions in History

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaching an unprecedented scale, environmental damage is inevitable, raising significant concerns. As the first tournament in history to be co-hosted by three large countries, namely the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, the required transportation and logistics will be extensive. The long-distance air travel required for teams, officials, and millions of fans to navigate such a vast continent is projected to result in the highest carbon emissions in the history of the event. While the expanded format offers a grander stage for the game, it also raises serious concerns about the environmental footprint of global mega sporting events. Therefore, effective solutions to reduce this damage are a necessity.

Reporters

Jungwoo Han

han0413@seoultech.ac.kr

Seongbeom Hong

hongsb@seoultech.ac.kr

Reporter 한정우

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홍성범 기자

• 직책 :
• e-mail : hongsb@seoultech.ac.kr