2026 World Cup Kicks Off With Historic 48-Team Format
The 2026 World Cup opens across North America with a new 48-team format and an opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens in Mexico with the inaugural match between Mexico and South Africa and the debut of the tournament’s new 48-team format. Photo: EFE
June 11, 2026 Hour: 7:07 am
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Mexico, the United States and Canada launch the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 national teams.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11 across Mexico, the United States and Canada, ushering in the first edition of football’s premier tournament to be contested by 48 national teams.
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Mexico and South Africa will face each other in the opening match at Mexico City Stadium (Azteca Stadium), revisiting the fixture that also opened the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The match is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. in Mexico, 3:00 p.m. in the United States and 7:00 p.m. in Spain.
This year’s tournament introduces a new competition format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
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The opening ceremony in Mexico will feature performers from across Latin pop and traditional music. FIFA confirmed that Shakira will headline the event with “Dai Dai,” the official song of the tournament.
The lineup also includes Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, J Balvin alongside Ryan Castro, Lila Downs, Danny Ocean and South African singer Tyla, whose participation reflects South Africa’s presence in the opening match.
The expanded tournament will also bring first-time World Cup appearances for Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
The month-long competition will culminate in the crowning of a new world champion at the first World Cup jointly hosted by three nations under the expanded 48-team format.
Author: MK
Source: @fifa
