How Reuters Covered the Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the biggest soccer tournament ever held. It was played across three countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with 48 teams competing in four different time zones. Reuters, a major global news agency, had hundreds of journalists covering the event day and night. Global sports editor Ossian Shine, who has reported on five World Cups, recently sat down to talk about what made this one so unique.

Shine said the scale of the tournament was almost hard to believe. The number of teams grew by 50 percent, which meant more matches and more stories than ever before. His team had reporters working around the clock, from Vancouver all the way to Miami. He compared the job to a never-ending game of whack-a-mole — news could break anywhere, at any time.

Not all the big stories came from the soccer field. Before the tournament started, a referee from Somalia was blocked from entering the United States and had to return home. Iran's team also faced strict entry rules that many people said were unfair. These events reminded people that politics and sports are often difficult to keep apart.

One of the most talked-about off-field stories involved President Donald Trump. He called FIFA President Gianni Infantino about a red-card ban for American player Folarin Balogun, and the ban was later lifted. FIFA said Trump's call did not affect the decision, but many people still had questions. The episode made some wonder whether political pressure had played a role in the sport.

Reporting on injuries was also a big challenge for Shine's team. Journalists built networks of sources — including team doctors, agents, and officials — to track who was hurt. Coaches often hide injury news to keep opponents in the dark, so reporters had to check many sources carefully. Even a small injury to a superstar like Lionel Messi could become a worldwide story in minutes.

FIFA faced heavy criticism throughout the tournament. Controversial refereeing decisions and the Balogun case raised doubts about whether the organization was truly independent. Shine said the World Cup itself was a great success on the field, but FIFA's reputation took some hits. He pointed out that it's not enough to be fair — a sports organization must also look fair to the public.

On the bright side, Shine said watching France play was a true highlight. Their attacking style, speed, and joy on the field were exciting to follow. Superstars like Messi, Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland all delivered amazing goals and broke records. For Shine, seeing these players shine on the world's biggest stage made all the hard work worthwhile.

The warmth of North American fans was another unforgettable part of the tournament. Scottish fans turned Boston into one giant singalong, and Norwegian supporters rowed boats through Times Square. Visitors from every part of the world explored local food, culture, and landscapes. Shine said the whole experience felt less like three countries hosting a World Cup and more like the world hosting itself.