The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on Thursday with hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, marking the start of a record-breaking 48-team tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The competition, which will run for nearly six weeks and conclude with the final in New Jersey on July 19, is projected to generate around $13 billion in revenue, making it the most commercially lucrative World Cup in history.
However, the buildup to the tournament has been overshadowed by criticism over soaring ticket prices and immigration-related issues affecting teams, officials, and supporters.
Some tickets have reportedly sold for as high as $30,000, drawing widespread backlash. FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing structure, saying more affordable options were available.
“Our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said, adding that the average ticket price remains below $500.
He insisted that FIFA had maintained accessibility while managing demand for the global event.
The tournament has also been affected by visa and security complications linked to U.S. immigration policies. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States, while several Iranian team officials and some fans were also reportedly refused visas.
FIFA confirmed that Artan, who had been set to become the first Somali referee at a World Cup, would no longer take part in the competition.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said, adding that FIFA does not control host-country immigration decisions.
The FIFA president also addressed concerns surrounding Iran’s participation in the tournament despite geopolitical tensions, describing their involvement as a significant achievement for global football.
“There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure that Iran could come and play under these circumstances,” he said.
Infantino’s close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump has also drawn attention, with the FIFA chief suggesting that Trump’s involvement was instrumental in securing the tournament in the United States.
“Without his engagement and involvement, it would have been impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States,” he said.
Trump has confirmed plans to attend some matches, though details remain unclear.
On the sporting front, South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos warned his players to expect a hostile atmosphere in the opening match, with more than 80,000 fans expected to fill the Estadio Azteca.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre, meanwhile, said his side is determined to end their long-standing record of failing to win opening World Cup matches.
Elsewhere on the opening day, South Korea will face the Czech Republic in Guadalajara.
Football powerhouses Spain, France, and England enter the tournament as favourites, while defending champions Argentina will rely on veteran star Lionel Messi as they seek to retain the title.
