The 2026 World Cup opens on Thursday with Mexico facing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium. The tournament expands to 48 teams for the first time and runs across three host nations.
Co-hosts Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match. The fixture marks the start of the expanded competition featuring teams making their debuts including Curacao, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Haiti. Lionel Messi, who turns 39 later this month, is expected to make his final World Cup appearance with Argentina. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, will also feature for Portugal. Other contenders include France, Spain and England. Spain enters after winning the European Championship while France and Portugal field strong attacking and midfield options.
