The 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring an expanded 48 teams, begins Thursday with a match between Mexico and South Africa. This year’s tournament is jointly hosted across three nations: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The competition will consist of 104 total matches, marking the largest World Cup in history. Organizers anticipate logistical challenges due to the scale of the event, including potential issues with travel and heat. Austria enters the tournament with aspirations of advancing to the knockout stage. The expanded format aims to provide more opportunities for nations to compete on the world stage, but also presents a more demanding schedule for players and fans alike.