Astronomical ticket prices, soaring security costs and concern over traffic and transit snarls is mixed with pride in host cities and excitement over the U.S. team.
The United States plays Paraguay on Friday in the first U.S.-hosted game of the World Cup, at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles. FIFA is requiring stadiums to hide the logos of their corporate sponsors during the tournament.
Mexico and Canada have faced significant recent tension in their relations with the United States. But in their historic World Cup bid, the three countries promoted teamwork.
Mexico City’s iconic stadium will host the opener for a record third time, after undergoing a near $200 million makeover for this World Cup and increasing its capacity to 87,500 seats.
Some fans and participants hoping to enter the United States for the World Cup have complained that restrictive immigration rules have presented a roadblock.
The Iraqi soccer player Aymen Hussein, pictured in a mural near Baghdad wearing his No. 18 jersey, was temporarily detained by U.S. immigration officials before being allowed to enter the country for the World Cup.
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