The wait is finally over. The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the largest edition of the tournament in history — has kicked off across North America, and the opening day delivered a feast of football for fans around the globe.
2026 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off: Day One Across North America
The wait is finally over. The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the largest edition of the tournament in history — has kicked off across North America, and the opening day delivered a feast of football for fans around the globe.
For the first time, the competition features 48 nations, expanding the field and raising the stakes at every turn. Host nations the United States, Mexico, and Canada are sharing duties across a record number of venues stretching from coast to coast.
Day one in review
The opening matches set the tone for what promises to be a remarkable month of football. Supporters packed stadiums across the continent as the world's biggest sporting event got underway in earnest.
With the expanded format now a reality on the pitch, every group-stage result carries enormous weight — a single defeat is no longer necessarily fatal, but momentum and goal difference will define who advances and who heads home early.
Follow all the action, results, and updates from day one of the 2026 FIFA World Cup right here as history is made across North America.


