Are we ready to host the FIFA World Cup, and who can afford to go?

NPR | By Dave Davies

Published June 9, 2026 at 12:36 PM EDT

The biggest World Cup ever starts this week. Laura Williamson, editor in chief of The Athletic, describes how sky-high prices, travel restrictions, politics and the Ebola outbreak are impacting fans.

NPR News

Dave Davies

Dave Davies is a guest host for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross.

See stories by Dave Davies

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

To find the World Cup's Cinderellas, we have to start with the group stage

Juliana Kim

Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cape Verde and Curacao are making their World Cup debut. Meanwhile, Scotland, South Africa, Canada, and New Zealand (just to name a few) have never made it past the group stage.
NPR News

Trump confirms Iran shot down helicopter, says U.S. 'must' respond

NPR Washington Desk

Trump also confirmed the two pilots were unharmed and safe.
Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom

‘Sit in the dark or be hungry’ Kentucky Power customers struggle with electric bills

Sylvia Goodman

A coalition of Kentucky Power customers are calling for increased transparency and rate review ahead of a state audit of the far-eastern Kentucky utility company.
NPR News

Big tobacco hooked us on ultra-processed foods. It might teach us how to cut back

Maria Godoy

Research published in the American Journal of Public Health details the connection between ultra-processed foods and the tobacco industry when it comes to production, strategy and marketing.
NPR News

Social Security funds could run short by 2032, program's Trustees warn

Scott Horsley

A trust fund that helps to finance Social Security benefits is expected to run out of money in less than seven years — unless Congress acts to patch the system before that.