This year's FIFA World Cup might test the old saying that bigger is better. With record numbers of teams and host cities across three countries, fans face unprecedented logistical challenges, from sky-high ticket prices to cross-country flights.

The scale of this event presents a logistical nightmare for all involved: teams, fans, and even host cities. While FIFA hopes this expansion will defend soccer’s global dominance, it could also limit the number of nations able to host such an ambitious tournament alone.

Hotel rooms in host cities are already surging in cost, with average attendance expenses running north of $5,000 per person before flights. This could drastically reduce overall attendance as some can't afford these extravagant travel costs.

The security implications are also significant. With threats increasing and multiple jurisdictions involved, the cost to secure the tournament is skyrocketing. The US federal government alone has issued over $625 million in grants for host cities, but this may only be a fraction of the actual expenses.

Looking ahead, while FIFA forecasts record engagements across TV, streaming, and digital platforms, the future of hosting the World Cup might require either enormous wealth or international cooperation. It's becoming clear that only select nations can pull off such an expansive event unilaterally.