World Cup 2026 preview: What to expect from the biggest tournament in history

The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on June 11 when Mexico host South Africa in the tournament’s opening fixture, launching the biggest edition of the competition ever staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

With 104 games spread across 16 venues in three countries operating on different time zones, the scale of this tournament is unprecedented. The expanded 48-team format means more nations than ever will compete, and the group stage alone will produce a volume of football that dwarfs any previous edition.

Scotland are among the stories of qualification, returning to the World Cup for the first time since France 1998 — a moment the Tartan Army has waited 28 years for. They will be joined by four nations making their first-ever appearances at the finals: Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

At the other end of the experience spectrum, two of the game’s all-time greats face what could be their final chapter on the world stage. Lionel Messi, leading holders Argentina in defence of their title, and Cristiano Ronaldo, still chasing a first World Cup winner’s medal with Portugal, both enter the tournament with the possibility that it represents their last.

The build-up has not been without controversy. Ticket pricing disputes, concerns over US immigration policy, reported boycott threats linked to President Donald Trump’s political actions, and warnings about extreme heat at certain venues have all cast a shadow over preparations. Those debates are unlikely to disappear once the football begins.

On the pitch, Thomas Tuchel faces significant selection decisions as England’s head coach, with the composition of his squad and starting XI already generating intense discussion among supporters and pundits alike.

The tournament’s spread across North America and the time zone implications for European audiences will shape how fans follow the competition — with morning recaps likely to become a fixture of the daily routine for many.