FIFA President Gianni Infantino opened proceedings at the pre-tournament press conference on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, calling the opening fixture a moment of joy, happiness, and unity for the entire world.

Speaking to the global media, Infantino held aloft the Trionda — the tournament's official match ball — and described the FIFA World Cup trophy as the most iconic in sport. "It's a moment of joy, it's a moment of celebration, it's a moment of happiness, and I am very, very happy to see the ball rolling in a few hours' time," he said.

A cathedral of football in Mexico City

Mexico and South Africa will kick off the 23rd edition of the tournament on Thursday, 11 June 2026, at the Mexico City Stadium — a venue Infantino described as "a cathedral of football" and one he believes is "blessed by the Gods of football."

The ground becomes the first in World Cup history to host the opening match on three separate occasions, having also staged the inaugural fixture in 1970 and 1986. "This is the stadium where Pelé and Diego Maradona won the World Cup," Infantino said. "I think this stadium has seen incredible things."

The final is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026, in New York New Jersey, marking the conclusion of the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and span three host nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

IR Iran's participation celebrated

Infantino singled out IR Iran's qualification as a source of particular pride. He recalled travelling to Antalya, Türkiye, in March to visit the Iranian squad when their participation was in doubt. "I told them and I promised them that they would come," he said. "And if I had to go with a bus to Tehran and drive them here, I would do that." He credited the players' determination, quoting their response: "We'll take the bus ourselves and drive it if need be."

Millions of fans, one shared emotion

Infantino estimated between six-and-a-half million and seven million fans would attend matches across the three host countries, with hundreds of millions more expected to follow through fan zones, watch parties, and broadcasts worldwide.

"The fans make the World Cup what it is," he said, adding that supporters everywhere simply want "to enjoy a moment of happiness, a moment where their day-to-day problems can be left aside."

Revenues reinvested globally

On the question of finances, the FIFA President confirmed that revenues generated by the FIFA World Cup 2026™ would be reinvested into developing football across all 211 FIFA Member Associations, including nations that attract little outside investment. He cited South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Bhutan, East Timor, and Vanuatu as examples of territories where FIFA directs funding that others will not.

Infantino also used the press conference to call for the release of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, detained in Algeria for more than a year, expressing hope that Gleizes could attend the tournament — noting that his accreditation and seat remain reserved. He also paid tribute to Argentinian journalist Enrique Macaya Márquez, who will cover his 18th consecutive FIFA World Cup, having attended every edition since 1958.