The 2026 World Cup kicks off this Thursday in Mexico City with an opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca. Over the next month, 48 teams will compete across 16 stadiums spread through Canada, Mexico, and the United States, culminating in a final on July 19 in the New York/New Jersey area.
For anyone new to the tournament, here is what to expect. The competition begins with a group stage where teams are divided into 12 groups of four. Each team plays the other three once, and the top two finishers from each group advance, along with the eight best third-place teams, for a total of 32 teams moving forward. From there it becomes single-elimination: lose and you are out. If a match is tied after extra time, a penalty shootout determines the winner.
The 48-team format marks a significant expansion from the traditional 32-team field. FIFA has drawn criticism from skeptics who argue the expansion is primarily a revenue play, noting that the 2022 tournament generated around $7.5 billion. The organization counters that the enlarged field allows smaller nations like Jordan and Curaçao a genuine shot at the global stage, and that tournament income funds grassroots development worldwide.
Ticket Prices and FIFA Controversies
FIFA faces considerable backlash heading into the tournament. Ticket prices have become a flash point, with analysis showing that the cheapest seats for the final are nearly 10 times more expensive than comparable tickets at the 2022 World Cup. The organization also collects a 30 percent fee on resale tickets sold through its own platform. Adding to the furor, FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded a peace prize to Donald Trump, a move many see as tone-deaf given Trump's current tensions with Iran and his past suggestion of annexing one of the tournament's co-hosts.
Despite these controversies, the World Cup remains one of sport's most compelling spectacles. The tournament brings together the planet's elite athletes competing for one of sport's most coveted prizes, delivering brilliant goals, stunning upsets, and unforgettable moments. The 2022 tournament itself provided a perfect example: Argentina, eventual champions, lost their opening match to Saudi Arabia.
Spain enter as favorites after winning the European championship in 2024 and the World Cup in 2010. They boast a blend of excellent young talent and experienced veterans under a strong coach. France reached the 2022 final and remain contenders. Argentina, the defending champions, are weaker than four years ago but dangerous nonetheless. England sits among betting favorites, though oddsmakers acknowledge that inflated English confidence plays a role in the betting lines. Brazil and Germany, with nine titles combined, cannot be overlooked despite neither team being at peak form.
Morocco represents a compelling dark horse candidate. The African nation reached the semifinals in 2022 and could become the first African team to win the tournament. Norway brings formidable talent in striker Erling Haaland, fresh off the country's dominant Winter Olympics performance. Mexico, Canada, and the United States should advance from group play but likely face elimination in the quarterfinals at best.
The star power on display will be impossible to ignore. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, both in their 40s, remain globally famous, though neither represents their respective teams' peak talent. Ousmane Dembélé, who recently helped Paris Saint-Germain capture the Champions League title, is widely considered the world's best player. Spain's 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal delivers the most electric play. England's Harry Kane, France's Kylian Mbappé, and Portugal's Vitinha round out the elite performers to watch.
Broadcasting arrangements vary by region. In the United States, Fox will air matches in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Canada will have coverage through TSN and CTV in English, with RDS handling French-language broadcasts. The BBC and ITV share coverage across the UK. Australia's SBS offers every match live.
Travel demands on teams and fans will be substantial. While the bid emphasized a tournament shared equally among all three nations, the reality sees the United States hosting 78 of 104 matches, with Canada and Mexico each hosting 13. Every match from the quarterfinals onward takes place in the US. Teams that reach the final could rack up more than 8,000 kilometers of travel.
FIFA is distributing $727 million in prize money, with the champion receiving $50 million. This figure pales against the organization's expectations, however. FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani projects the tournament will gross $13 billion, a staggering disparity between player compensation and total revenue.
Author James Rodriguez: "The expansion to 48 teams was clearly a cash grab wrapped in development rhetoric, and the ticket pricing scandal proves it."
Comments