The countdown is over as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially gets underway today with a spectacular opening ceremony in Mexico City, launching the biggest tournament in football history.

SolaceBase reports that for the first time, the World Cup is being hosted by three countries: Mexico, the United States and Canada, and will feature 48 teams competing in 104 matches across the host countries.

This year’s World Cup will be played across 16 host cities, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Seattle and New York/New Jersey. The tournament will conclude on July 19 with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The first opening ceremony will be held at the historic Mexico City Stadium (formerly Estadio Azteca), becoming the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches.

Although the World Cup hosting rights are being shared by three countries, the US is hosting 78 games – three times more than Canada (13) and Mexico (13) combined.

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The majority of the high-stakes games, including the quarterfinals, semifinals and final, will be played in the US.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, football legends, government officials and celebrities are expected to attend the event.

Reports indicate that global music stars, including Shakira and Burna Boy, are among the headline performers for the Mexico City ceremony.

Today’s Matches (June 11)

The tournament opens with two Group A matches:

* Mexico vs South Africa — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City.

* South Korea vs Czechia — Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara.

The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha on December 17.

The prize fund for this year’s edition is 50 percent higher than that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Winners this time will pocket $50m (£37.5m), runners-up $33m (£24.8m), third place $29m (£21.8m), fourth place $27m (£20.3m), from 5th-8th place $19m (£14.3m), from 9th-16th place $15m (£11.3m), from 17th-32nd place $11m (£8.3m), from 33rd-48th place $9m (£6.8m).

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Each team also receives $1.5m (£1.1m) to cover preparation costs, meaning that every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m (£7.87m).

With defending champions Argentina seeking to retain their crown and football giants such as Brazil, France, England, Germany and Spain among the favourites, anticipation is at fever pitch as the world comes together for a month-long celebration of football.