The FIFA World Cup 2026 is about to begin, with the official tournament scheduled to kick off in Mexico City this Thursday, June 11. The first match between host nation Mexico and South Africa will start a competition that will span five and a half weeks, covering a total of 104 matches distributed across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As we advance into the penultimate week before the debut, updates on the expanded format, internal regulations, and logistics in host cities have become central to media coverage.
An expanded tournament with 48 teams
The 2026 edition marks a historic change by increasing the number of participants from 32 to 48 national teams. This expansion significantly transforms the structure of the event: there will be 12 groups instead of eight, and for the first time, there will be a round of 32 (Round of 32). The total number of matches increases from 64 to 104, which means that finalist teams will play one more match during the knockout stage. Analysts point out that this new dynamic could favor traditionally underestimated national teams and open up opportunities for surprises in the initial rounds.
New ceremonies and regulatory controversies
FIFA has introduced notable changes to the pre-match ceremony. For the first time, all players included on the match-day squad, including substitutes, will line up around the center circle before national anthems are played. This measure follows a style recently adopted in other tournaments organized by the entity.
Simultaneously, internal tension has emerged regarding fan regulations. Although initially fans were allowed to bring empty and transparent water bottles due to the heat of the North American summer, confidential sources indicate that FIFA's security body expressed concerns during internal debates about this policy. It is suggested that subsequent decisions may have been influenced by commercial considerations rather than purely safety-related ones.
Logistics and conflicts at host cities
Meanwhile, logistical preparations have drawn specific media attention. In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared that the city is "ready for everything" regarding potential scheduling clashes between World Cup matches and NBA finals at MetLife Stadium. The priority is to avoid critical overlaps during sporting events.
In Dallas, a legal conflict has made headlines: muralist Wyland sued FIFA for $25 million after covering his work "Ocean Life" with blue paint to make room for a World Cup commemoration. The lawsuit cites the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990, alleging unauthorized destruction of recognized public art.
Status of national teams
At the sporting level, attention focuses on the physical condition of stars. Alphonso Davies, defender for Bayern Munich and captain of Canada, clarified his fitness status ahead of the debut against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12. Following ambiguous statements about a muscle injury that raised doubts about his participation, Davies indicated he could be available if he regains proper form before the opening match.
