Overview
- The tournament opens with Mexico vs South Africa on June 11 at Estadio Azteca, the United States begins against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, and defending champion Argentina starts against Algeria.
- FIFA is set to publish the full match schedule with confirmed venues and kickoff times later today.
- The expanded event features 48 teams playing 104 matches in 16 cities, with the top two in each group plus the eight best third-place teams advancing to a new round of 32 and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
- Headline groupings include France, Senegal and Norway together in Group I, with six remaining berths to be decided in March 2026 UEFA and inter‑confederation playoffs.
- Lionel Messi praised North American enthusiasm for the sport and said he hopes to be at the tournament, though he has not formally committed to play.