From escalating climate risks and geopolitical uncertainty to major sporting events and renewed space ambitions, 2026 is shaping up to be a year on the global stage.
Here are five key events likely to dominate the headlines over the next 12 months.
Climate: A crucial year for global action?
With record-breaking heat already the norm, climate change will remain one of the most pressing challenges in 2026. The United Nations has warned there is an 80% chance it will surpass previous temperature records at least a year before 2029.
The focus will be on whether countries can translate climate commitments into coordinated action. While recent global climate talks have signaled that multilateral cooperation is still alive and well despite geopolitical tensions and the US boycott, many experts say the current framework needs a reset.
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In April, Colombia will host the first international conference on phasing out fossil fuels, a move that could test political will across regions. Activists and analysts will also be watching to see if youth-led climate movements increase pressure on governments next year.
Record-breaking World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, with the USA hosting most of the matches.
Apart from football, the event is expected to take place amid political sensitivities, including immigration and trade tensions involving the host countries. On the sporting front, the favorites include defending champions Argentina, a strong French side led by Kylian Mbappé and Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be 41, has said this is likely to be his last World Cup, while several countries – including Cape Verde and Uzbekistan – are set to make their tournament debuts.
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Gaza, Israel and Netanyahu’s Political Future
A fragile truce in Gaza, brokered under US pressure after years of conflict, is expected to face severe tests in 2026. Key issues remain unresolved, including the pace of Israeli troop withdrawals, the reconstruction of Gaza and its future governance, AFP reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, now 76, is expected to seek another term in elections due in November 2026. His coalition remains unstable and public sentiment in Israel is divided over responsibility for the events that sparked the Gaza war and ongoing corruption cases against him.
The coming year could see renewed military or diplomatic maneuvering as Netanyahu balances domestic politics with regional pressures.
The battle for control of the US Congress
The 2026 US midterm elections will be a major test of President Donald Trump’s political influence. While Trump himself won’t be on the ballot, the outcome will shape his ability to push legislation through Congress.
Republican majorities in both the House and Senate are narrow, with a few swing states likely to determine control. Democrats are trying to capitalize on historical trends that often see the president’s party lose seats in the midterms.
The results could either strengthen Trump’s grip on Washington or severely curtail his agenda.
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Around the Moon – and beyond
Space exploration is expected to pick up steam again in 2026. NASA plans to launch Artemis II, a crewed mission that will orbit the moon — a key step toward returning humans to the lunar surface.
China is also developing its lunar program, with the Chang’e-7 mission expected to explore the moon’s south pole. Meanwhile, India, which made history with its robotic moon landing in 2023, is gearing up for its first human spaceflight, targeting 2027.
Together, these efforts signal a renewed global race in space—one that could redefine exploration for years to come.
