The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, with the opening match set to take place in Mexico City [1]. The tournament is the largest in FIFA’s history, featuring 48 national teams competing across three host countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico [1].
This expansion from previous tournaments will increase the scale and complexity of the event, generating expectations for record-breaking attendance and viewership. Organizers expect the World Cup to generate between $11 billion and $13 billion in revenue, making it one of the most profitable editions ever held [1].
Ticket prices have surged, with the final match tickets reaching up to $10,000 due to dynamic pricing models responding to high demand [2, 1]. The high cost has raised concerns about accessibility for average fans.
Hosting the World Cup across multiple countries has also resulted in rising costs, creating budget pressures for the host nations [2]. Despite this, the 2026 tournament is anticipated to showcase a high level of organization and fan engagement.
The tournament opens on June 11 in Mexico City, setting the stage for a month-long soccer event that will be followed closely worldwide [1].
