For football fans, the majority of the build-up to the FIFA World Cup has centred on disappointment and shock more than excitement and delight.Faced with wide-ranging issues – from expensive match tickets to logistical concerns – fans have directed their criticism towards the sport’s global governing body and local organisers in the three host nations: Canada, Mexico and the United States.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listPolitical tensions have also been a major talking point, following US-Israel attacks on Iran that led to a regional conflict with global ramifications. The war has repeatedly raised questions about the US hosting Iran’s games, but FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran’s Team Melli will play. However, Iranian officials have asked the World Cup hosts to address their concerns.For fans attending the tournament, which begins on June 11 and concludes on July 19, or watching the 104 matches from across the globe, these are some key talking points:Free fan festivals bring respiteAfter spending nearly six months expressing their outrage at “extortionate” prices for World Cup match tickets, local fans rushed to book their spots at the tournament’s official fan festivals in host cities.While an unregulated resale market and dynamic pricing in the US allowed some tickets for the World Cup final to be priced as high as $2m apiece – drawing sharp criticism from fans, politicians and football experts – the decision by some host cities to offer free-of-charge entry to fan festivals proved to be an instant hit. Advertisement Local festivals will offer fans a chance to enjoy match screenings in a vibrant setting, with access to food, drinks – and, at some venues, free musical performances – in comparison to exorbitantly priced match tickets and inflated commuter fares to venues.In Toronto, the first batch of tickets to …
