The 2026 FIFA World Cup got underway on Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico taking an early lead against South Africa in front of more than 80,000 fans at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Julian Quiñones opened the scoring in the ninth minute of the tournament’s opening match, capping Mexico’s dominant start at the stadium that previously hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986.
The match marked the beginning of a six-week tournament featuring a record 48 teams.
Co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the expanded competition is the largest World Cup in history. The tournament runs until the final in New Jersey on July 19 and is expected to generate a record $13 billion in revenue.
An elaborate opening ceremony lit up the Estadio Azteca before kickoff, with Colombian superstar Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official song.
However, there were reports of scuffles outside the stadium as fans jostled for entry into the official fan zone in central Mexico City.
The start of the competition comes amid criticism directed at FIFA over the high cost of tickets and concerns surrounding immigration restrictions in the United States.
The tournament has also been overshadowed by visa controversies, with Iranian team officials, supporters and a match referee reportedly denied entry into the United States.
Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organisation of the tournament and dismissed criticism over ticket pricing and visa-related issues.
Infantino argued that ticket prices had been set appropriately, noting that a limited number of tickets were made available for as low as $60 following public criticism.
“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” he said.
“Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
Visa controversy
Infantino also downplayed concerns surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry after arriving in Miami.
FIFA later confirmed that Artan, whom the US State Department alleged had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations”, would take no part in the tournament.
“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 and try to solve everything.”
In a show of support, UEFA announced on Thursday that Artan had been selected to officiate the European Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said.
Infantino also described Iran’s participation in the tournament, despite ongoing military tensions with the United States, as a success for FIFA.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” he said.
“There are challenges. It’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure, in these circumstances, that Iran could come and play.”
The FIFA president’s close relationship with US President Donald Trump has also attracted scrutiny. However, Infantino praised Trump’s role in helping secure the tournament.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” he said.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he plans to attend some matches but did not provide further details.
Elsewhere on the opening day, South Korea face the Czech Republic in Guadalajara.
Spain, France and England enter the tournament among the favourites, while defending champions Argentina will look to 38-year-old Lionel Messi to inspire another run to the final.
AFP
