The 2026 FIFA World Cup is kicking off in North America, with the first match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. The tournament, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will feature 48 teams competing in 16 stadiums over 39 days.

Local Angle

Several cities in the United States, including Dallas, will host World Cup matches. The games in Mexico will be played at high elevation, with the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City at roughly 7,300 feet and Guadalajara at 5,138 feet.

The World Cup has faced criticism over sky-high ticket prices, with some seats for the final match going for nearly $33,000. The attorneys general in New York and New Jersey, which are hosting eight World Cup matches, have announced an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices.

Teams and Groups

The World Cup includes 48 countries, divided into 16 groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 32, along with the top eight third-place teams. Mexico is in Group A, along with South Africa, the Czech Republic, and South Korea.

Other teams competing in the World Cup include the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. The tournament will feature a number of high-profile matches, including the United States vs. Paraguay and Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.