FIFA President Gianni Infantino guaranteed today that everything is “set” for the start of the 2026 Football World Cup, taking place between June 11 and July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“Preparations are going very well, and excitement is growing. We have been waiting for this opening whistle, which arrives shortly, for several years, and it is time to begin. We are ready to open our doors and welcome the world,” the FIFA leader declared in a video published by the organization. He noted that over six million fans will be in the stadiums, with tens of millions in the sixteen host cities across three magnificent countries, and six billion people watching at home.
For the first time in history, the World Cup will begin with three separate opening ceremonies prior to the first matches of the three host nations. Infantino emphasized that the primary goal is to unite the world, stating that “our world needs that” right now.
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The months leading up to the 2026 World Cup have been marked by some controversy surrounding diplomatic decisions, ranging from the conflict launched by the United States and Israel in the Middle East, which at one point called Iran’s presence in the competition into question, to Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies. Other concerns raised include high ticket prices and the extreme temperatures expected during the tournament.
The inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup will feature Mexico, one of the hosts, against South Africa on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Portugal is placed in Group K, alongside Uzbekistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Colombia.
The Portuguese national team will make its debut in the competition on June 17 against the African side in Houston at 18:00 Lisbon time. Infantino urged the global public to be prepared for the event, reiterating that the organization is fully equipped to handle the logistical demands of this expanded tournament.
