Qatar Set for Second FIFA World Cup Appearance as the World Awaits Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Kick-Off

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June 10, 2026
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10-June-2026

Qatar Set for Second FIFA World Cup Appearance as the World Awaits Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Kick-Off

DOHA  – The countdown is over as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially gets underway on Thursday, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting the tournament until July 19 in what promises to be the most ambitious edition in football history.

For the first time, the FIFA World Cup will be staged across three nations and will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, marking a new era for the sport's premier event.

Global attention will turn to Mexico City, where the opening match will signal the start of a tournament that represents a watershed moment in World Cup history. Beyond its unprecedented geographical scale, the competition introduces a significantly expanded format, with more teams, more matches and greater global representation than ever before, making it the largest World Cup since the tournament's inception in 1930.

The iconic Azteca Stadium will host the opening fixture between Mexico and South Africa in Group A, becoming the first venue in history to stage World Cup matches across three separate editions, having previously welcomed the tournament in 1970 and 1986.

Organisers are preparing a spectacular opening ceremony ahead of kick-off, celebrating the cultural diversity of the three host nations. The event is expected to attract record-breaking global audiences, reflecting the unprecedented scale and significance of the tournament.

According to FIFA, the ceremony will begin approximately 90 minutes before the opening match and will feature a blend of musical performances, cultural showcases and cutting-edge visual productions inspired by Latin heritage and Mexican culture. Artists from diverse backgrounds will take part in a celebration centred on the tournament's themes of unity, diversity and inclusion.

FIFA also confirmed that the festivities will continue in the days that follow, with opening celebrations moving to Toronto and Los Angeles to mark the first matches hosted in Canada and the United States, highlighting the unique cultural identity of each host nation through football, music and entertainment.

Meanwhile, Qatar will make its second FIFA World Cup appearance and its first through qualification, having participated in the 2022 edition as hosts. The national team enters the tournament determined to make history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time.

Qatar will begin its Group B campaign against Switzerland on June 13 at Levi's Stadium in San Francisco. The group also includes Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Qatari side aiming for a positive start that could lay the foundation for a memorable World Cup journey.

The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams for the first time, an increase of 16 compared to the previous seven tournaments held between 1998 and 2022, further underlining the historic significance of this landmark World Cup.