The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off in North America on June 11, marking the first time the tournament has been jointly hosted by three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded 48-team format, up from the previous 32-team field, means more matches across more cities and a longer overall tournament schedule.

Among the most anticipated players heading into the tournament are Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and U.S. men's national team standout Christian Pulisic. For Messi and Ronaldo, widely considered two of the greatest players in the sport's history, this edition may represent a final World Cup appearance, adding a significant narrative weight to their nations' campaigns.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been on the defensive in the tournament's opening days, pushing back against criticism over high ticket prices and urging fans to "chill" about the controversy surrounding a referee who was denied entry into the United States. Infantino defended the organization's pricing structure, though the comments drew renewed scrutiny of how FIFA has managed logistics for the North American tournament.

Despite the global prestige of the event, at least one survey or analysis indicates that public interest in the World Cup has declined compared to prior tournaments, a data point that has attracted coverage from sports and policy outlets alike. Organizers and broadcasters are nonetheless expecting massive viewership, with games available across multiple television networks and streaming platforms throughout the group stage and knockout rounds.

The United States, co-host and one of the most watched teams in the tournament for domestic audiences, carries particular pressure as both a host nation and a competitive squad with aspirations of advancing deep into the bracket. The combination of home-field atmosphere, global superstars, and geopolitical undercurrents — including the visa denial controversy — has made the 2026 World Cup a story extending well beyond the pitch.