The biggest ever edition of the FIFA World Cup lifts its curtains on Thursday night in Mexico with a record 48 teams taking part for the first time amid political tensions, border debates and wider global uncertainty shaping the mood around the event.

Hosts Mexico and South Africa will face off in the opening match in Group A – set to begin at 1:00 AM (Friday) Bangladesh Standard Time (BST) – at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The stadium will become the first venue to host matches at three different World Cups.

South Korea will face Czechia in Mexico’s Guadalajara in the day’s other Group A match, which will begin at 4:00 BST.

The expanded tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 venues in the US, Mexico and Canada.

The 2026 World Cup will bring a major test for organisers because of the size of the tournament and the distances between host cities.

For the first time, three countries will share hosting duties, giving the tournament a different identity.

Opening ceremony takes a different route

The 2026 World Cup opening ceremony will break from tradition by taking place across three countries instead of a single host venue.

Mexico City will stage the first celebration before the opening match, followed by events in Toronto and Los Angeles before Canada and the United States begin their campaigns.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the ceremonies would combine “music, culture and football” while reflecting both the individuality of each host nation and the unity of the tournament, according to the BBC.

The entertainment plans will also make the opening unlike previous World Cups. Instead of one main ceremony, fans will see three separate celebrations across the host countries.

The Mexico City ceremony will feature global stars including Shakira and Burna Boy performing the official World Cup song “Dai Dai”, according to FIFA.

Other performers announced for the opening events include J Balvin and Tyla in Mexico, Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette in Canada, and Katy Perry and Future in the United States.

More teams, more challenges

The tournament also marks a major change on the field. The 48-team format will bring more nations into the competition, increasing opportunities for teams making their World Cup debut.

The new structure will mean more matches and a longer tournament, creating additional demands on players’ fitness, travel schedules and squad management.

The expansion has already changed how teams prepare, with more countries now having a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages.

The CBC reported that the 2026 World Cup will be a major moment for football in North America, where the sport has continued to grow in popularity.

The tournament returns to the United States after the country hosted the 1994 World Cup, a competition remembered for record attendances and increased global attention on the game.

Canada will host men’s World Cup matches for the first time, while Mexico will become the first country to host games at three different editions.

The World Cup will also arrive with questions about logistics, travel and the experience of fans moving between three nations.

The BBC reported that FIFA’s decision to hold ceremonies in multiple countries was designed to match the scale of the expanded tournament.

With new hosts, more teams and a different opening format, the 2026 World Cup will present a tournament unlike any before it.

The focus will eventually return to the pitch, where established powers and emerging teams will compete for football’s biggest prize.