FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced with the opening match between co-host Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. This stadium becomes the first to host three World Cup opening matches in the tournament's history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches in total.

Opening ceremonies were held simultaneously in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles, celebrating the first World Cup hosted by three nations, with the first match Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.

Football legends including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Manuel Neuer are expected to participate in their final World Cup during the 2026 tournament.

The World Cup will feature top-level coaches with diverse backgrounds, including former Premier League managers and winners of international tournaments such as Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni.

Qatar qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time and will compete in Group B alongside Switzerland, Canada, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, aiming for the knockout stage.

Iran's national football team departed from Turkey to Mexico for the World Cup amid visa uncertainties linked to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps affiliations, while preparing with a friendly against Mali.

The tournament will feature 48 teams in 12 groups of four, with a new Round of 32 knockout stage and new rules like hydration breaks and limited throw-in times.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place over 39 days and 104 matches across 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, featuring new grass installs in eight stadiums and diverse climates and altitudes.

Nepal's hospitality sector prepares for FIFA World Cup 2026 with late-night match schedules mostly after midnight, creating concerns about fan turnout and business impact in key areas like Durbar Marg and Thamel.

Ashwin Raj Pokharel from Nepal was appointed lead of the stadium management team at the AT&T Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, coordinating operations and fan experience in Dallas, Texas.