The tournament is scheduled to begin on June 11 in Mexico City, with Mexico facing South Africa. It will be the first World Cup staged across Mexico, the United States and Canada, creating a vast logistical challenge as well as a broader global spotlight.
The report says the opening ceremony could also feature Colombian singer Shakira, but the wider mood in the host capital remains uncertain. Teacher strikes and social agitation are reportedly threatening to disrupt the build-up, raising questions over whether the opening can deliver the celebration organisers have promised.
Access is already a major talking point. Reports of elevated ticket prices have fuelled criticism that the tournament risks becoming a spectacle for corporate guests and affluent supporters rather than a festival accessible to ordinary fans.
Security has added another layer of controversy. The report says Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States, an episode that could prompt further questions about travel arrangements and the practical demands of a tournament spread across three nations. It remains unclear how widely such concerns will affect officials, supporters and teams.
Micallef acknowledged that major sporting events often arrive with political and social complications, while hoping the tournament is remembered for excitement, joy and football. That ambition will be tested from the first day.
For organisers, the next priority is ensuring that the Mexico-South Africa opener proceeds smoothly and that the ceremony remains focused on the sport. The opening week will reveal whether the World Cup can shift attention from its controversies to the drama on the pitch.