The 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins Thursday, marking the first tournament in history to feature 48 nations. Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the expanded competition opens with Mexico facing South Africa, followed by South Korea against Czechia.
Group stage matches continue through late June across multiple venues. The U.S. Men’s National Team, led by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, begins its campaign Friday against Paraguay before facing Australia and Türkiye in subsequent group fixtures.
Former USMNT player Alecko Eskandarian emphasized the critical nature of early group matches for American advancement. He also highlighted Major League Soccer’s fully funded academies as a key driver for developing domestic talent and expanding the sport's footprint ahead of the tournament.
Global heavyweights including Brazil, France, Argentina, and England enter the fray this weekend. The tournament concludes with the World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.