World Cup Set for Kick-Off

The FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is set to kick off on Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament, featuring 48 teams, will run for nearly six weeks and conclude on July 19 in New Jersey.

FIFA says the expanded competition is the largest in World Cup history and is projected to generate about 13 billion dollars in revenue. However, the build-up has been overshadowed by criticism over high ticket prices and reported visa-related challenges affecting some officials, players, and fans.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing structure, saying entry options had been made available at different levels despite premium tickets reportedly exceeding 30,000 dollars. He said a limited number of 60-dollar tickets were introduced following public criticism, describing them as the lowest entry price among major American sports during playoff stages.

“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything,” Infantino said, while addressing the controversy surrounding visa denials involving individuals linked to the tournament.

The FIFA President also confirmed that Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States, would not participate in the tournament. US authorities had reportedly cited security-related concerns, alleging links with suspected members of terrorist organisations.

“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said, adding that FIFA would continue engaging with authorities but acknowledged that immigration decisions were beyond the organisation’s control.

Infantino further defended Iran’s participation in the tournament despite geopolitical tensions involving the United States. He said FIFA had worked to ensure all qualified teams were able to compete regardless of external political developments.

“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup… There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances… Iran could come and play,” he said.

The FIFA President also praised US President Donald Trump’s involvement in preparations for the tournament, saying his support was significant in the hosting process. Trump, who confirmed plans to attend some matches, described the upcoming event as potentially historic.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos warned that his team must cope with intense crowd support in Mexico City, noting that over 80,000 fans are expected at the opening match. Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said his side is determined to end a long-standing poor record in World Cup opening games.

The tournament also features high expectations for top contenders including Spain, France, England, and defending champions Argentina, who will rely heavily on Lionel Messi as they aim for another final appearance.

Tags: #WorldCup2026 #FIFA #GianniInfantino #Mexico #SouthAfrica #Football #SportsNews #BreakingNews #USA #Canada #Mexico