The biggest World Cup ever kicks off Thursday in Mexico City, and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino is already calling it "the greatest event that humanity has ever seen." The 2026 men's tournament stretches across the US, Canada, and Mexico, with 48 teams, 104 matches, and expected ticket revenue of about $3 billion—more than quadruple Qatar 2022, reports the Athletic. FIFA claims as many as 6 billion people will tune in at some point, drawn by a likely last look at Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on this stage and a first real glimpse of rising stars like Spain's Lamine Yamal. But the spectacle arrives tangled in politics, with host cities left holding the bag, notes the Athletic in a separate piece; sky-high prices, and US entry bans that have shut out fans and even a top Somali referee, prompting critics to ask who this tournament is really for.
On the field, the expansion could dilute the early drama, with many group games forecast as mismatches. Still, the World Cup's pull endures: tiny Curacao has qualified; war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo calls its berth "a little dose of joy"; and Haiti's team offers a rare point of unity for a country in crisis. Legends near their final bow, a new generation chases superstardom, and, despite FIFA's controversies, the tournament's core promise remains the same: a shared, global jolt of hope, tension, and occasional shock. As Infantino is wont to say: "The world will stand still." For those who hadn't made plans to stand still months ago, the official schedule is here.
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