World Cup What to Know: Mexico Kicks Off a Supersized, 48-Team Tournament
Mexico is favored at home as the 48-team tournament opens with a record 104 matches across 16 stadiums.
- Mexico hosts South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday to open the 2026 World Cup, launching the 39-day tournament across North America with 48 teams competing in 104 matches.
- This year's tournament was expanded to 48 teams playing across 16 stadiums, introducing a new knockout format where the top two teams from 12 groups plus eight third-place finishers advance.
- Led by veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Mexico allowed only two goals in eight 2026 friendlies, while midfielder Luis Chavez and forward Brian Gutierrez provide offensive firepower.
- Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey are investigating FIFA's ticketing practices, joining politicians including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass who criticized the organization for being "detached from regular people."
- Analysts give Mexico a 90% chance to advance to the round of 32, while the tournament final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey features tickets priced as high as nearly $33,000.
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58 Articles
The World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico will be the biggest tournament of all time. Here you will learn all the important things about the mega event – and how Germany will win the title. The World Cup in Germany unusually starts this Thursday evening at 9 pm. Then the opening match between Mexico and South Africa will be launched at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City – in the biggest midday heat and after a 90-minute opening show in which Sha…
The World Cup kicks off on Thursday evening at 9:00 PM with the opening match between host nation Mexico and South Africa. With 48 countries at this World Cup, we have 48 national coaches and 1,248 footballers walking around in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
World Cup Fever Begins As 48 Nations Chase Glory Across North America in Historic Tournament
FIFA World Cup fever has erupted across North America as the most expansive tournament in football history gets under way, with 48 nations chasing glory across the United States, Canada and Mexico in a month-long spectacle already gripped by anticipation, travel chaos and record-breaking demand for tickets. From Mexico City's opening whistle to the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, the tournament will stage 104 matches across 16 h…
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