The 2026 World Cup starts Thursday with a record 48 teams, three host countries, and the likely final tournaments for Messi and Ronaldo. Travel distances, Ebola complications, and visa issues add layers to the soccer's biggest event.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday with a record 48 teams, 104 matches across three host countries, and the likely final tournament appearances for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Spain enters as the betting favorite, with France, England, Portugal, Brazil, and defending champion Argentina close behind. The United States sits outside the top 10 in the odds.
Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, said Tuesday that Argentina will give everything to repeat. "Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't," he told reporters. "Have no doubt that our opponents will find it hard to beat us." Ronaldo, 41, called this his last World Cup. Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa plans to retire after the tournament. All three are playing in their sixth World Cup, a record.
This is the first World Cup spread across three countries. The distance between Vancouver and Mexico City is nearly 3,000 miles. Teams will average 5,167 miles of travel during the group stage, compared with 86 miles in the 2022 Qatar tournament. Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the most group-stage travel at 3,144 miles. France and Argentina have the lightest schedules among contenders, at 334 and 461 miles respectively.
Recovery, sleep, flight delays, and climate acclimation are real variables. England, a top-five favorite, will log 1,721 miles in the group stage – more than any other contender.
Messi holds the record for most World Cup appearances (26) and is three goals shy of Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16. Ronaldo is the only player to score in five editions. Both have said this is their last. Croatia's Luka Modric, Germany's Manuel Neuer, Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, Brazil's Neymar, Senegal's Sadio Mane, and Egypt's Mo Salah are also near the end of their international careers.
The Democratic Republic of Congo qualified for the first time in 52 years but faces an Ebola outbreak with 515 confirmed cases. The team moved its training camp to Belgium and played a pre-tournament friendly in France after Spain raised public health concerns. Players are due in Houston this week for their opener against Portugal.
Iran, after U.S. strikes in southern Iran, moved its base camp from Tucson to Tijuana. Some players and staff did not receive U.S. visas for group-stage games. Iran could face the United States in the round of 32 on July 3 if both finish second in their groups.
Spain's Lamine Yamal, 18, is rated by Fox as the top player in the tournament. He is recovering from groin and hamstring issues but expected to play. France's Kylian Mbappe, England's Harry Kane, Norway's Erling Haaland, Brazil's Vinicius Junior, and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi are among the stars set to appear.
Brazil vs. Morocco on Saturday in East Rutherford is the first match between two top-10 FIFA-ranked teams. France meets Senegal on Tuesday. England faces Croatia on Wednesday.
The cheapest group-stage tickets range from about $160 to more than $3,000. The cheapest final ticket is over $7,600.
Mexico opens the tournament against South Africa on Thursday at 3 p.m. EDT on Fox.
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