The 2026 FIFA World Cup will get underway on Thursday, the biggest edition of football’s premier tournament this time around as millions of fans prepare for a month-long celebration across North America.

For the first time in history, the World Cup will be jointly hosted by three countries, Canada, Mexico and the United States, and will feature a record 48 national teams competing in 104 matches. The tournament will get going at the iconic Estadio Azteca, where hosts Mexico will face South Africa. It will run for nearly six weeks before concluding with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

Much of the spotlight will be on two football legends nearing the end of their international careers. Fans around the world will be keen to see whether Lionel Messi can guide Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles or if Cristiano Ronaldo can lead Portugal to its first-ever world championship.

While anticipation is high, the build-up to the tournament has not been without controversy. One of the biggest concerns has been the sharp rise in ticket prices. Premium seats for the World Cup final are being sold at unprecedented levels, drawing criticism from supporters and raising questions about accessibility for ordinary fans.

Political issues have also cast a shadow over the event. Human rights groups have voiced concerns about immigration policies, freedom of expression and the treatment of visitors entering the United States during the tournament.

These concerns intensified after several people connected to the World Cup reportedly faced entry restrictions. Among them was Somali referee Omar Artan, who was unable to enter the United States after arriving in Miami. Visa-related issues have also affected members of Iran’s World Cup delegation and some international supporters. The tournament also comes against the backdrop of continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

New format, new regulations

On the sporting side, FIFA is introducing several changes. The expansion from 32 to 48 teams means more nations will participate than ever before, creating new opportunities for emerging football countries.

Players and officials will also adapt to a number of new tournament regulations. Cooling breaks will be used throughout the competition to help manage high temperatures expected at several venues, while new measures aimed at reducing time-wasting and combating discriminatory behaviour will also be enforced.

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