100-day countdown for 2026 World Cup begins with huge off-the-pitch issues dominating

One hundred days and counting until the biggest World Cup in football history. The expanded 48 team tournament - which kicks off on June 11 - will also be the most controversial, the most expensive and indulgent we have ever seen.

From a football point of view, the tactical trends will be more important than ever, while heat and weather conditions across the United States, Mexico and Canada will play a huge part.

If the Club World Cup is anything to go by, brace yourself for storm delays and travel chaos while armchair viewers in the United Kingdom will probably lose track of what time of day it is.

There are already growing calls for boycotts with US president Donald Trump taking such a central role alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

It is impossible to imagine, as things stand, how Iran could possibly play in a country which is currently bombing its people. That should sit so uncomfortably not just for Iran but other nations.

The World Cup is always portrayed as a celebration and yet the world is on the brink. It is way too glib and simplistic to say football will fix that and we will just get on with it.

This is a tournament like no other. Yes, we have had fears in the past - security in South Africa, the controversy of Qatar and it is incredible to think Russia hosted the 2018 World Cup - but hosting it across three countries raises all sorts of debate about the environment.

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When we finally get down to the football, the law changes will be so noticeable. Corners and yellow cards will be added to the scope of VAR.

We will see countdown clocks used to cut down on time-wasting on goal-kicks, throw-ins and substitutions. I cannot see how people think that is a bad thing. It has faced some ridicule because FIFA are effectively “trialling” it at the World Cup.

Who remembers what happened in 2018? That was the first World Cup to use VAR. It went smoothly and video referees in major tournaments have worked well since.

Guess what? The Premier League took another year to bring VAR to English football for the 2019/20 season - and that delay was very much in keeping with the difference between how it works in World Cups and in our own top flight.

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The World Cup has the best officials on the pitch and in the video hubs. They are the pick from each country. And it shows.

That is why, actually, the changes will be good for football. Let’s kick out the time wasters and mistakes. FIFA does it quickly compared to the Premier League’s snail pace.

What would be really bad would be to suddenly foist a change to the offside law at the last minute. Arsene Wenger ’s proposal to use the new “daylight” rule will be trialled in Canada.

Again, why would you not embrace something that makes the game more entertaining and a better spectacle with more goals? Especially at a time when we are obsessed with the Premier League becoming a turn-off. It’s just not ready yet. But it’s a good idea.

One thing you can be sure of is that England manager Thomas Tuchel will follow the trend of relying on set-pieces.

In the heat of the US, that will be vital. Pumping the ball into the box. Look at the set-piece specialists. Declan Rice , Bukayo Saka and Reece James on corners duty. Then big Dan Burn in the box in the 97th minute to score from a set-piece.

There can be no doubt that set-pieces will be big. But if you actually followed the Club World Cup - even in the heat of New Jersey for the semi finals and final - Chelsea played at an incredibly high tempo and blitzed Paris Saint Germain. They did not see it coming. I also think we will see less high press and teams playing with two strikers.

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What pains me is what the cost means for fans. The fans make any tournament. The colour, the noise and the memories. But so many are being priced out.

It is easy to blame the sky-high ticket prices. But actually American concerts and sporting events do cost that much. They really do. And the travel and the hotels. It will be an expensive World Cup.

FIFA tried to address the issue with cheaper entry level tickets. As time passes and we get closer, it would be fabulous to see more and also see more help with travel and accommodation. If fans stay away in their droves, it will kill the tournament stone dead.

I like the new tennis style draw and seedings. You can see the teams’ path. You can map England’s route to glory.

Will they get there? I think it’s a long shot. But Tuchel gives them a chance. As do set-pieces. Corners and free kicks might be dirty words at the moment - but they can be England’s friend in the summer.

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