New York, June 11, 2026 – The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially began today, June 11, marking the start of the largest tournament in football history. The competition is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with 48 teams competing across 104 matches in 16 host cities.
The opening match took place at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where host nation Mexico faced South Africa. Mexico opened the tournament with a victory in front of a packed crowd following a star-studded opening ceremony celebrating Mexican culture and football history.
Key facts:
-Tournament dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026.
-First-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.
-Total matches: 104 across North America.
-The final will be played in the New York–New Jersey region.
Among the biggest storylines are the sixth World Cup appearances of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while young stars such as Lamine Yamal are expected to shine on football’s biggest stage.
For fans in the United States, the U.S. men’s team opens its campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
The month-long tournament is expected to attract billions of viewers worldwide and is being widely described as the biggest World Cup ever staged.
