The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching what is set to be the biggest and most lucrative tournament in football history.
Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the expanded competition will feature 48 national teams for the first time and run for nearly six weeks before culminating in the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The tournament is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in revenue, underscoring its status as the most commercially successful World Cup ever staged. However, the build-up has not been without controversy, with FIFA facing criticism over expensive ticket prices and immigration restrictions affecting some participants and supporters.
Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the tournament’s organisation and dismissed concerns surrounding ticket costs.
Infantino argued that ticket prices compare favourably with those of major sporting events in the United States, noting that some tickets were made available for as little as $60 following public criticism.
“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said.
“Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
The FIFA president also addressed concerns regarding Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States and subsequently ruled out of officiating at the tournament.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.
“We don’t control everything. Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.”
The FIFA chief further highlighted Iran’s participation in the competition despite ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, describing it as a success for football diplomacy.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said.
“There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances — which we could not influence — Iran could come and play.”
Infantino also praised United States President Donald Trump for his support of the tournament, saying his involvement had been vital to its organisation.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” he said.
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Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he intends to attend some matches during the tournament but did not disclose which fixtures he plans to watch.
Attention now turns to the opening match at the Estadio Azteca, where more than 85,000 fans are expected to create a hostile atmosphere for South Africa.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos urged his players to remain focused despite the intimidating environment.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that, then we can have a good game,” he said.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, meanwhile, is hoping to end his country’s poor record in World Cup opening matches. Mexico have failed to win any of their previous seven tournament openers.
“We have to break the statistic,” Aguirre said.
“It will be another source of motivation.”
The second match of the tournament will see South Korea face the Czech Republic in Guadalajara later on Thursday.
As the competition begins, Spain, France and England are widely regarded as leading contenders for the title, while defending champions Argentina will once again look to 38-year-old captain Lionel Messi to inspire another successful campaign.
England wrapped up their preparations on Wednesday with an impressive 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando. Goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins secured the win in a match delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms.
England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance and intensity ahead of the tournament.
“Until now, it was more a feeling of a pre-season, like an overseas pre-season,” Tuchel said.
“I think we set the tone today.”
With an expanded format, record revenues and global attention fixed on North America, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to deliver one of the most significant and memorable editions in the tournament’s history.