The World Cup, by the numbers
An impartial preview is my GOOOOOOAAAALLLLL.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup started yesterday, ushering in 39 days of decisions about whether to call it football or soccer. In a break from tradition, this year’s tournament is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada — three cultures known for agreeing on everything, especially sports.
Opinions about the on-field action and off-field controversies are already flying. But here at Chortle, we’ll preview this major event like we always do: with cold, hard facts. Here’s the World Cup, by the numbers.
3
Number of countries hosting this year’s tournament, in an inclusive nod to polycules.
$11 billion
The record level of revenue that FIFA executives will be forced to embezzle.
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