The football world turns its eyes to North America, as the 2026 World Cup officially begins tonight, the largest tournament in history with 48 national teams and 104 matches to be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
The grand final will be played on July 19, with the opening match taking place at Mexico City’s legendary Azteca Stadium, where Mexico faces South Africa starting at 9:00 PM local time.
For the first time, the World Cup is being hosted by three countries simultaneously and includes an expanded format with 48 teams, offering more matches, more fans and more opportunities for surprises.
The opening ceremony in Mexico is expected to bring a huge musical spectacle, while the host countries will organize festive activities to mark the start of the tournament.
Spain and France among the main favorites
Many analysts consider Spain to be one of the main favorites for the trophy. In the spotlight is the 18-year-old talent Lamine Yamal, who is already considered one of the biggest stars in world football.
France remains a serious contender thanks to a quality-packed squad and the presence of Kylian Mbappé, while Argentina, Brazil, England and Portugal are also in the running for the trophy.
Farewell to a generation of legends
The 2026 World Cup could mark the last appearance on football’s biggest stage for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Argentina will aim to defend the title they won in Qatar, while Messi is looking to end his international career with another historic success.
The new format brings opportunities for surprises
The expansion of the tournament has opened the door for teams that have rarely been to the World Cup. Teams like Jordan, Curaçao and other debutants will be looking to make history.
History has shown that the World Cup always produces big surprises and new heroes. From Cameroon in 1990 to Senegal in 2002, football’s biggest stage has always been the place where incredible stories are born.
Starting tonight, for more than a month, the usual pace of life will be intertwined with the excitement of the World Cup, as billions of fans around the globe will watch the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet.
