From criticism over water breaks to red cards galore, here’s all the buzz from the opening day of the World Cup.
![Jubilant soccer fans flood Mexico's Zocalo Square for World Cup opener [Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/image-1781211816.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca will become the first venue to host matches at three separate World Cups.
The biggest FIFA World Cup ever starts today in Mexico. Here are the schedule, predictions, key stories shaping day one.
Al Jazeera’s teams, groups, key dates and kickoff times list for World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
FIFA chief says his organisation cannot rule on government policies after a Somali referee was denied entry into the US.
President Sheinbaum promises safe World Cup as host cities ramp up security after cartel violence scare and protests.
As the tournament kicks off, cohosts Mexico face South Africa in a replay of the 2010 edition’s opening game.
Political issues continue to dominate the build-up, with the US-Israel war on Iran overshadowing the World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup is the first to be held in three different host nations – but why? Al Jazeera explains.
Qualified teams, groups, schedule and snapshot of stadiums that will host World Cup matches.
