2026 World Cup Opens With 48 Teams and 104 Matches Across 3 North American Hosts
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Jun 11
2026 World Cup Opens With 48 Teams and 104 Matches Across 3 North American Hosts
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jun 11
Summary
Thursday’s opener sends co-host Mexico against South Africa as the World Cup begins its first 48-team edition, with 1,248 players competing in a record 104 matches across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
449 clubs from 71 countries are represented in the player pool, and the expanded field brings first-time finalists Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan into the tournament.
Spain enter as bookmakers’ favorites despite hamstring concerns over Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, while France, Argentina, England, Brazil and Germany also arrive among the main contenders.
US border controls have already disrupted the buildup: Iran moved its training base to Mexico after visa issues, Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was briefly blocked, and Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry.
Ticket prices have added to the backlash, with group-stage seats starting at $140 and final tickets reaching $8,680 before FIFA released limited $60 tickets for each game.
With record-high ticket prices, is the World Cup becoming an exclusive event for the wealthy, abandoning its global fanbase?
Amidst visa denials and local protests, can the first tri-nation World Cup overcome its 'chaos' to deliver a successful tournament?
As host cities face massive costs with little return, is the current FIFA World Cup hosting model fundamentally exploitative?
FIFA World Cup 2026: Expanded 48-Team Format, Soaring Ticket Prices, and the Battle for Fan Accessibility
Overview
The FIFA World Cup 2026 officially launched on June 11, 2026, marking the start of a new era for global football. The vibrant opening ceremony took place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, kicking off at 1:30 p.m. ET. The event featured a star-studded lineup, headlined by Latin pop superstar Shakira, who was joined by other Latin music acts, Nigerian rapper Burna Boy, and South African rapper Tyla. There was special excitement about a possible joint performance by Shakira and Burna Boy of their new single, 'Dai Dai,' setting an energetic tone for the expanded tournament.