The cover of the 12 June edition of the Guardian Weekly magazine features an illustration by Lisa Sheehan. The issue delves into how the World Cup has become an $80bn behemoth, alongside stories on the last Beatles gigs and more.
World Cup 2026: The Greatest Show on Earth?
It has long been a golden rule of sport that football World Cups grow larger and more extravagant every four years. However, the latest edition may test that universal law with a six-week journey through Trump's America, expected to generate $80bn in global economic output. As the world's biggest sporting event meets the world's largest market, it is hard to see how the World Cup can become more bloated. Yet Gianni Infantino, the opportunist Fifa overlord, has schmoozed with divisive leaders to extract maximum gains. Barney Ronay describes this as a journey into the heart of darkness. Over 39 days, 16 host cities, 104 matches, and a 10,000km span across Canada, the US, and Mexico, the tournament will reveal why it remains the greatest show on Earth.
Key Stories in This Edition
The Murder of Henry Nowak
Libby Brooks reports on how the tragedy of Henry Nowak's murder shook Britain, revealing a country grappling with how easily such events are co-opted into far-right rallying cries.
Autonomous AI Killer Drones
Dan Milmo and Aisha Down examine whether autonomous AI killer drones can be taught morality, as the technology plays a growing role in modern warfare with unresolved ethical challenges.
The Final Beatles Tour
A new collection of photos by rock photographer Jim Marshall captures the Beatles' last gigs in the mid-1960s, with a foreword by Ian Leslie, exploring the band's decision to quit touring.
Trump's Foreign Policy
Simon Tisdall argues that Trump's failure to maintain ceasefires in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon reflects a new world disorder, driven by casual disregard for diplomacy and obsession with instant results.
Rupert Everett's Redemption
Simon Hattenstone interviews the 67-year-old actor, known for lying to partners, disrespecting audiences, and betraying friends, to see if he has finally grown up and settled down.
Other Highlights
Fifty years ago, the Sex Pistols played their first Manchester gig, upending pop culture. Alexis Petridis talks to bands left behind when punk exploded. Also featured: an exhibition on terrible album artwork, the jailing of Germany's most wanted woman, rapid weight loss effects, and a pot shot winning top spot in World Food Photography awards 2026.
