Road to 2026 World Cup: Extreme weather and terrorists are the ghosts for players

JAKARTA - FIFA World Cup 2026, always presents a mystery. As if promising, the most devastating in the 21st century. The World Cup in three countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States, is expected to prepare the most spectacular entertainment, for 39 days, as a "premium" work of the 21st century. Is it true?

Is it true that the 23rd edition of the World Cup, since 1930, will end with a resounding success until the final match, July 19, 2026? Has the evolution of the Jules Rimet Trophy (1930 - 1970) to the FIFA World Cup (1974 - 2026), given birth to the green field celebrity heroes? Can every coach maintain the physical "ghost" fitness of the players?

Isn't it, ahead of the giant event in the sky, already making a controversy after controversy? Is it true, all football fans from 48 countries, do not feel afraid of threats and pressure from security forces. Especially in Mexico and the United States, from local federal security?

If you remember, how sensational it was, when FIFA announced 16 stadiums in Canada (2), Mexico (3) and the United States (11). The tradition of the World Cup culture when in Qatar was shuffled its monthly schedule, November - December. Back to the original condition, namely June - July.

Since the World Cup was held, in 1930, FIFA has always announced the schedule of the biggest event, following the schedule of leagues in the world, during the recess, alias off season. The competition is over, in May, and the next competition starts, in mid-August or early September. That's why, every June - July, every four years, FIFA holds an event that can beat all events, on earth.

From June to July, once every four years, every national player who is called up to the national squad, is ready to celebrate, as if it were Eid, Christmas, Gong Xi Fa Chai or other religious celebrations. They, competing to show off all the knowledge in their feet and heads, as well as testing their intelligence.

Maybe, FIFA never expected. That, in June and July, in mainland Europe, is summer. But, when appointing the North American region, such as Canada, Mexico and the United States, the air temperature, varies, especially, for Canada, it seems to be no problem.

Canada - Vancouver and Toronto, "Northen Hemisphere" - traditional air temperatures as well as different day and night. The air temperature in the two Canadian cities ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Mexico and the United States, the air temperature can reach 35 to 50 degrees Celsius.

This extreme weather is a "ghost" for every player, especially 16 countries from mainland Europe. Currently, 48 coaches from participating countries are brainwashing, keeping the 26 selected players able to maintain physical fitness, facing super extreme weather.

Still remember the 1994 World Cup in the United States?

FIFA has made a new rule, since the United States was chosen as the host. In the FIFA statute, "laws of the game" article 7, about the duration of the match. If, in a country where the air temperature is super hot, more than 30 degrees Celsius, a "cooling break" or "water break" will apply.

It is estimated that FIFA's rules give a break, between 35 to 75 seconds. So, the match time will always be more than 90 minutes. "Water break" will be added at the end of the match. That's how the rules of the most "arrogant" institution in the world sound.

Outside the air temperature that will be used as a "ghost" for each player. There are still lightning storms and smoke from fires, especially those that are accustomed to occurring in the United States, which are ready to hold 70 matches out of 104 matches that are ready to be held.

If there is a "water break" rule that is a hindrance, since the United States hosted 1994. In fact, it is not a matter of principle, for European countries, Proof, Germany was able to win the world title, destroying Brazil in the semi-finals, and paralyzing Argentina in the final. Even though, both countries are on the South American continent with hot temperatures.

His track, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, was actually the host who was crushed in the month of Germany in the semi-finals, 1-7. Even though the temperature in Brazil reached 40 degrees Celsius. Maybe there is a "ghost" haunting the country of Brazil, called "Curupira"?

From the 2026 World Cup, until this article is lowered, the United States faces a very high risk due to geopolitical tensions. In particular, Iran. In Mexico "sami mawon", especially in the face of drug gang groups, prone to violence, including health services, for participants and supporters. In Canada, the most crucial problem is logistics.

US intelligence has given the go-ahead for potential terrorist threats. In particular, anti-American sentiment. The impact is huge when the American vs. Iran peace table is not final. According to Dylan Evans, Director of Security Solutions from International SOS, the global perception of America is considered the most critical factor.

Sentiments towards America, are a combination of geopolitical tensions and domestic policies. Thus, creating an inner atmosphere for travelers and supporters, even the players feel more sensitive. It is estimated that it can easily occur in 11 cities in the host state, especially in the face of workers. Not to mention if it is associated at the border, between Mexico and America.

For example, there is an event that the Los Angeles government has not been able to resolve, where the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey compete in Group D. There are 2000 workers threatening to go on strike during the 2026 World Cup.

The crucial problem is that 2000 workers are worried that if the event is underway, there will be many Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles will host eight matches, and it is estimated that there will be 150 thousand spectators. Approximately, if ICE disturbs the peace of tourists and supporters, chaos can easily occur.

Until this article was written, the Iranian national team chose the city of Tijuana, Mexico, which is close to the state of California, during the preliminary round in Group G with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.

The city of Guadalajara, Mexico is even more serious. Currently, it is a "ghost" city, after drug lord, Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes alias "El Menche", was killed by bullets, in a military operation, Sunday, February 22. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus, asked his citizens, not to leave their homes, if the situation is still out of control. Automatically, transportation is paralyzed, until now.

Modern football teaches that all national team officials in many developed countries tend to rely predominantly on statistical data, accurately processing tactics, and data analysis. The philosophy of statistical data is "the battlefield", all coaches and assistants.

Do the statistical data, mathematical tactics, strategy from "sports science" apply, for the 48 participating countries? The answer is, no!

The rules of the game imposed by FIFA, specifically at the 2026 World Cup, for the first time followed by 48 countries, seemed very fantastic. Even since entering the third round of qualifiers, the Indonesian national team has been super optimistic about being able to go to the World Cup. Because the number of participants has increased from 32 countries in the previous seven editions, since the 1998 World Cup, to 48 countries.

The idea of 32 changing to 48 countries was initiated, when Michael Platini, as UEFA President, 2013. When Gianni Infantino was appointed as FIFA President in 2016, 48 countries were immediately launched.

It seems very sentimental and surprising. But have you thought about the impact, in the drawing that will be held, 2023? That, is there a country that passes that has comparable quality, with countries that have a high flying time used to pass, as an elite team?

Just wait and see. Sure, it has a very bumpy impact. For example, in Group C which is inhabited by Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland. It seems, it's uncomfortable to watch Brazil vs Haiti, June 19, at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium, Philadelphia. Surely Haiti's goal will be showered with many goals.

Another example, in Group H, which is inhabited by Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Like the world's "elite" team, Spain versus the "dwarf" team of Cape Verde, as a dubutan. Just look, later when the luxury team team - France, in Group I, faces Iran, which is considered a "gurem" team.

Still there, Group J, defending champion Argentina vs Jordan, and in Group K, Portugal vs Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire who qualified for the 1974 World Cup). TVRI viewers just want to see "goal rain."

In the days of 16 countries, then 24 countries, and 32 countries, almost all who qualified for the World Cup round were always fierce, balanced, and defeated each other. There are rarely any surprise teams. They, just think, about the "margin", to be able to qualify, with the quality of the qualified team.

Later, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, out of 48 countries that are ready to party on the green field, there are 24 countries that qualify directly, the champions and runners-up of the group. Plus eight countries in the 3rd place in each group, completing the 32 big ones. Again, in the 32 big ones, there are countries that are impressed, just participating, as "cheerleaders".

In particular, if they face seven countries who have enjoyed the title of world champion, Uruguay, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Argentina, England, France and Spain. Plus, the three "black horses" Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Only, it's worth remembering the trail of the 1966 World Cup. There is an extraordinary record, every participating country that is considered "dwarf" or judged by the national team of the "glorious" country has a shock power, which is the talk of the world football fan - viral.

The 1966 World Cup in England, the Asian representative, North Korea, in Group 4, July 19, 1966, made a surprise defeat of Italy, 1-0, as well as runner up to the last eight. Algeria, the African representative, at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, beat West Germany, 2-1, June 16, 1982. Croatia, a newly born country in 1992, was stunned at the 1998 World Cup, able to make the world stunned, as the third place winner. At the 2002 World Cup in South Korea-Japan, Senegal sent France home as the defending champion, when defeated, 1-0.

The World Cup trinkets are always full of drama and luck. Will the three host countries create history?

Whether in the last few days, football fans between countries named FIFA World Cup 2026, watch a short film made by an institution called advert.ge. When the dialogue in a corner of a cafe in the United States. Two children chat and ask, "Can the United States win the world championship?"

Immediately, it was brushed off by the gentlemen whose faces looked super fanatic towards the United States national team, "Everything can happen." He said, while he was walking out of the cafe.

Just wait, for 39 days, until July 19, 2026, the final at Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey with a capacity of 82,500 spectators. Millions of TVRI National and TVRI Sports viewers in the country, as witnesses.

J. Erwiyantoro(Football Columnist)