The 2026 Fifa World Cup's 'Heart of Darkness': Brilliant on screen, troubling behind the scenes

The article compares the 2026 FIFA World Cup to the film Apocalypse Now, highlighting similarities in chaotic and dark productions. It details the film's production difficulties: a typhoon in the Philippines, Martin Sheen's heart attack, conflicts between Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper, and a budget ballooning from $12 to $31 million. The crew suffered from hookworm and other ailments, and faced local crime and political controversies. Despite a lukewarm reception upon release in 1979, Apocalypse Now became a masterpiece, mirroring the extremes of the 2026 World Cup.