World Cup 2026 kicks off in Mexico: a record number of matches and teams. Mexico is hosting the largest FIFA World Cup ever. The tournament comes amid political tensions between the host nations and a record expansion in the number of participants.
On Thursday, the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the largest tournament in history—kicks off at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The opening match will feature the national teams of Mexico and South Africa. For the first time, the World Cup will be hosted by three countries: Mexico, the USA, and Canada. However, the vast majority of matches—78 out of 104—will take place in the United States, highlighting the country’s role as the main organizer.
This year the tournament has been significantly expanded: instead of the usual 32 teams, 48 national squads will take the field, and the total number of matches has increased from 64 to 104. The final is scheduled for July 19 and will be held in New York. Among the favorites are France, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and England. The scale and geography make this World Cup not only a sporting event, but also a political one.
The organization of the championship is accompanied by tensions among the host countries. The United States, where most matches will be played, continues to pursue a strict anti-immigration policy, causing concern among fans from Mexico and Canada. At the same time, according to russpain.com, the tournament’s start coincides with an escalation of international conflicts: one participating team, Iran, has already been at war for over 100 days—a war initiated against it by the United States.
The expanded tournament format and political background have become topics of discussion in the Spanish media. In particular, material by russpain.com notes that for the first time in history, the World Cup will be held in three countries, with the final taking place in New York. For Spanish fans, this means new opportunities to watch matches and follow their national team across different continents.
For reference: the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City has already hosted the World Cup opening in 1970 and 1986. In 2026, it once again becomes a symbol of the start of the world football championship. The tournament promises to be not only a record-breaker in terms of number of participants, but also one of the most discussed in terms of international relations and the impact of politics on sports.
