MEXICO CITY (Web Desk) – The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday, marking the start of the largest tournament in football history as 48 nations compete across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The opening match will see co-host Mexico face South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching a six-week football festival that concludes with the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19.
On the pitch, much of the attention will focus on some of football’s biggest names. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are aiming to retain their crown, while Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to guide Portugal to their first-ever World Cup title. England, meanwhile, enters the tournament seeking to end a 60-year wait for major international success.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described the competition as the greatest sporting spectacle ever staged. However, preparations for the tournament have been overshadowed by several controversies.
One of the biggest concerns has been the dramatic increase in ticket prices. Premium seats for the World Cup final have reached unprecedented levels, sparking criticism from supporters worldwide. Many fans have also expressed frustration over the high costs of travel, accommodation and match attendance.
Political issues have added another layer of complexity. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the impact of U.S. immigration policies, restrictions on demonstrations and press freedoms during the tournament. Questions have also emerged regarding visa approvals for participants and officials traveling to the event.
The geopolitical situation involving Iran has attracted particular attention. Iran’s national team is scheduled to play group-stage matches in the United States, although some members of its support staff reportedly faced visa difficulties. The team has chosen to establish its training base in Mexico rather than the United States.
Despite the off-field challenges, organizers expect millions of fans to attend matches across 16 host cities. The tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 teams means more nations than ever before will have the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Several new features will debut during the competition. Cooling breaks will be introduced in every match to help players cope with high temperatures, while updated rules are designed to reduce time-wasting and improve match flow. FIFA will also strengthen measures against racist behavior on the field.
The final is expected to deliver a unique spectacle, with organizers planning an extended halftime entertainment show featuring major international music stars.
As the tournament begins, attention now shifts from the controversies to the action on the field, where the world’s best players will battle for football’s most coveted trophy.
