Tonight, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the World Cup changes forever.
The Azteca becomes the first stadium to stage matches at three World Cups — 1970, 1986 and now 2026. But the tournament it opens looks nothing like the ones that came before.
The numbers are enormous
Forty-eight teams, up from thirty-two. One hundred and four matches, up from sixty-four. Sixteen host cities spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico — the first World Cup shared by three nations.
Twelve groups of four. The top two from each group advance, joined by the eight best third-placed teams. Then a brand-new round of 32 begins the knockouts.
What it means for the football
More teams means more debutants, more underdogs and more group-stage drama. It also means a winner must now survive eight matches instead of seven. The champion crowned at MetLife Stadium on 19 July will have played the longest World Cup campaign in history.
Critics worry the group stage loses its edge. Defenders point to 2022, where Saudi Arabia beat Argentina and Morocco reached the semi-finals. Shocks are the World Cup’s lifeblood, and there have never been more chances for one.
The stakes
Argentina arrive as holders, chasing back-to-back titles for the first time since Brazil in 1962. France have reached the last two finals. Brazil hunt a sixth star. And a continent-sized host bloc dreams of a home story.
Eight matches. Thirty-nine days. One trophy. Strap in.