As 2026 approaches, governments, institutions and citizens around the world are preparing for a year expected to feature decisive moments in climate action, global politics, sport and space exploration.
From debates over rising global temperatures to elections that could redefine legislative power in Washington, the coming year presents developments with far-reaching implications.
While none of these events exists in isolation, each reflects broader trends shaping international relations, public policy and collective ambition.
Below are five major developments likely to command global attention in 2026.
Climate change: Will the world act?
The reality of climate change is expected to remain sharply visible in 2026 as global temperatures continue to reach historic highs.
According to the United Nations, there is an 80 per cent chance that at least one year before 2029 will surpass the current heat record, intensifying pressure on governments to act.
Recent climate talks in Brazil indicated that multilateral engagement remains possible, even as geopolitical tensions and the absence of the United States highlighted persistent divisions.
Rebecca Thissen, of the Climate Action Network, said, “2026 must be the year in which international climate diplomacy reinvents itself.”
She added, “COPs are not an end in themselves but a high point in an international political agenda that desperately needs to get on the same page.”
Attention will also focus on Colombia’s planned international conference on phasing out fossil fuels, scheduled for April, which aims to translate dialogue into commitments.
Aleksandar Rankovic, the director of The Common Initiative think tank, expressed scepticism following recent negotiations and asked whether “the Gen Z-led rebellions that have emerged worldwide will start fighting for climate as well” in 2026.
Football: The biggest World Cup yet
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to become the largest in the tournament’s history, with 48 national teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Running from June 11 to July 19, the event will span nearly six weeks, with the United States hosting 11 of the 16 match venues.
Political dynamics could intersect with sport, as the president of the United States, Donald Trump, maintains tense relations with co-host nations over trade and immigration issues.
On the field, France will arrive with a strong squad led by Kylian Mbappe, seeking redemption after losing the 2022 final to Argentina.
Spain is also viewed as a serious contender following recent successes at international level.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be 41 when the tournament begins, has said the competition will be his final World Cup and hopes to secure his first global title.
Several countries, including Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Curacao, will make their World Cup debuts.
Fans, however, may face high ticket prices due to FIFA’s adoption of dynamic pricing for high-demand matches.
Gaza and Israel: Netanyahu’s political future
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered under US pressure, came into effect on October 10 after two years of conflict.
Despite the pause in fighting, key issues remain unresolved, including Israeli troop withdrawal, reconstruction of Gaza and future governance arrangements.
By endorsing the US-backed plan, the UN Security Council opened the door to an international force in Gaza, a prospect opposed by both Israel and Hamas.
The Palestinian group has rejected disarmament under Israeli conditions, while the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned that military action could resume.
Now 76, Netanyahu plans to contest elections due by November 2026, despite mounting political and legal challenges.
His coalition holds a narrow majority of 60 seats in the 120-member parliament.
Public opinion surveys show many Israelis want him held accountable for the failures that preceded the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
A significant number also oppose the presidential pardon he sought to end long-running corruption trials.
United States: The fight for Congress
The 2026 US midterm elections are expected to play a crucial role in shaping President Donald Trump’s remaining time in office.
Although Trump will not be on the ballot, the outcome will be widely seen as a referendum on his leadership and political influence.
Republican control of Congress remains precarious, with narrow margins in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Key races in states such as Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio could determine the balance of power.
Without Trump’s name directly before voters, the president has intensified efforts to mobilise his support base.
Democrats view the elections as an opportunity, noting that the president’s party traditionally loses seats in midterm contests.
Analysts suggest Republicans may struggle to retain control of the House, while Democrats are targeting at least four Senate seats to reclaim the chamber.
Space exploration: Humans around the Moon
Space agencies are also preparing for milestones that could reshape humanity’s relationship with the Moon.
NASA plans to launch the Artemis II mission, a crewed flight around the Moon, by April at the latest after repeated delays.
The mission represents a major step towards returning astronauts to the lunar surface, a goal announced during Trump’s first term.
China continues to advance its own ambitions, aiming for a crewed Moon landing by 2030.
Its Chang’e 7 mission, scheduled for 2026, will explore the Moon’s south pole, while tests of its Mengzhou crewed spacecraft are also planned.
India, which successfully landed a robotic mission on the Moon in 2023, is pursuing its own programme, with plans to send an astronaut into orbit in 2027.
Together, these developments underscore a renewed global race beyond Earth, set against the challenges unfolding closer to home.
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