The world’s biggest football tournament will officially begin in Mexico City, marking the start of the largest World Cup in history. For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete in 104 matches across three host nations Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Mexico City Stadium has been selected to stage the opening fixture, becoming the first stadium in history to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches. The iconic venue previously hosted opening games and finals during the 1970 and 1986 World Cups.
Host nation Mexico will have the honor of launching the month-long football spectacle before home supporters in the capital. The Mexican national team will play all three of its group-stage matches on home soil, with its second fixture scheduled for June 18 at Estadio Guadalajara before returning to Mexico City Stadium for its final group match on June 24.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the first edition to feature 48 participating nations, expanding from the previous 32-team format. Organizers say the expanded tournament will provide more countries with an opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Apart from hosting Mexico’s matches, Mexico City Stadium will also stage a Group K encounter between Uzbekistan and Colombia, as well as knockout fixtures in both the Round of 32 and Round of 16.
The unveiling of the full match schedule has generated excitement among football fans worldwide, with preparations intensifying across the three host nations ahead of the historic tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to attract millions of spectators and billions of viewers globally, further cementing its status as the world’s most-watched sporting event.
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