The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the biggest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams. It will run for almost six weeks before ending with the final in New Jersey on July 19.
FIFA expects the competition to generate a record $13 billion in revenue. However, the tournament has also faced criticism over expensive ticket prices and entry restrictions affecting some officials and supporters.
Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organisation of the tournament. He said ticket prices were fair despite complaints that some seats cost more than $30,000.
According to Infantino, FIFA also made a number of tickets available for as low as $60.
“Our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said.
“Our average price which is below 500 dollars is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
Infantino also addressed the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States and will no longer take part in the World Cup.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.
“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.”
The FIFA president also described Iran’s participation in the tournament as a success despite ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said.
“There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances — which we could not influence — Iran could come and play.”
Infantino also praised US President Donald Trump for supporting the tournament.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” he said.
Trump confirmed that he plans to attend some matches during the tournament.
On the pitch, South Africa coach Hugo Broos admitted his team would have to cope with the atmosphere created by more than 85,000 Mexican fans at the Estadio Azteca.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that… then we can have a good game,” Broos said.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is hoping to end his country’s poor record in opening World Cup matches, with Mexico yet to win any of their previous seven tournament openers.
“We have to break the statistic,” Aguirre said.
“It will be another source of motivation.”
South Korea and the Czech Republic will play the second match of the opening day in Guadalajara.
Among the favourites to win the trophy are Spain, France and England, while defending champions Argentina will once again look to veteran captain Lionel Messi to inspire another title challenge.
England completed their preparations with a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday. Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins were all on target in a match delayed by thunderstorms in Orlando.
Coach Thomas Tuchel was pleased with his team’s performance.
“Until now, it was more a feeling of a pre-season, like an overseas pre-season,” Tuchel said.
“I think we set the tone today.”
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