MEXICO CITY – The 2026 Fifa World Cup kicks off on Thursday with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching the biggest tournament in the competition’s history.

A total of 48 teams will compete across the United States, Mexico and Canada over nearly six weeks, with the final scheduled for New Jersey on 19 July. The tournament is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.

However, the build-up has been marred by controversy over sky-high ticket prices and visa issues linked to Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, which has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry to the United States.

Infantino defends ticket prices

Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, Fifa president Gianni Infantino mounted a spirited defence of the tournament organisation and dismissed criticism over visa problems.

Infantino insisted that tickets, which in some cases have topped $30 000, had been priced appropriately. He pointed to a small number of $60 tickets that were made available in response to public outcry.

“Let me just say that our entry price, which is $60, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said. “Our average price which is below $500 is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”

Referee controversy sparks debate

Infantino also played down the controversy surrounding Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry after arriving in Miami. Fifa has since confirmed Artan will play no part in the tournament after the US State Department said he had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”.

“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said. “We don’t control everything. Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.”

In a remarkable turn of events on Thursday, European football’s governing body Uefa announced that Artan had been selected to referee its European Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in August.

“Football is made to connect people, and Uefa wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination,” said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

Iran participation hailed as victory

Fifa leader Infantino also portrayed Iran’s participation at the World Cup, amid its military conflict with the US, as a victory for his organisation.

“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said. “There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances, which we could not influence, Iran could come and play.”

Infantino’s close relationship with Trump has come under scrutiny, but the Fifa chief lavished praise on the US president.

“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino said of Trump.

Trump confirmed on Wednesday he plans to attend some World Cup matches, without providing details. “I spoke to Gianni this morning. He said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the coming tournament, Trump said.

Mexico seek to break opening game curse

South Africa coach Hugo Broos warned his players to block out a wall of sound during the opening match at the Estadio Azteca, the legendary venue that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.

“They will have 85 000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that, then we can have a good game,” the Belgian said.

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Mexico have not won any of their seven appearances in an opening game. “We have to break the statistic,” coach Javier Aguirre said. “It will be another source of motivation.”

Hundreds of protesters returned to an area near Azteca Stadium late Wednesday, most family members or relatives of “disappeared people” alleged to have been killed or kidnapped by Mexican authorities or criminal gangs.

Police set up a 1.6 km security perimeter ahead of fans arriving on Thursday and said they would allow peaceful protests, but only ticket holders would be able to access the stadium.

South Korea and the Czech Republic play the second game on the opening day in Guadalajara.

Favourites line up for glory

Spain, France and England are the favourites, while reigning champions Argentina will look to their talisman Lionel Messi (38) to drive them to the final.

England wrapped up their preparations on Wednesday with a 3-0 win over a feisty Costa Rica in a match delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms in Orlando.

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