FIFA President Gianni Infantino has declared that the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has launched in a manner that has "gone beyond our expectations," citing full stadiums, electric atmospheres, and high-quality football across the opening matches.

Infantino delivered his assessment on the opening day of the FIFA Executive Football Summits 2026 in Miami, United States. The Summits — first held in 2016, the opening year of Infantino's presidency — bring together FIFA leadership and representatives from FIFA Member Associations to discuss programmes, initiatives, and policies shaping the global game.

This year's edition will run until 17 June 2026 and covers topics including the FIFA Forward Programme, youth competitions, and FIFA's digital strategy, alongside updates on the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Record crowds and competitive football

Average attendances across the first eight matches surpassed 63,000, a figure Infantino described as a product of "incredible atmospheres" and packed venues. He pointed specifically to the 1-1 draw between Switzerland and Qatar at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium — attended by 68,000 spectators — as evidence of how competitive football has become at every level.

"Qatar vs. Switzerland in San Francisco: 68,000 spectators, packed stadium. It was really beautiful and a surprising result for some, for others not. Because we know that football today has become very, very competitive everywhere in the world."

The three host nations all avoided defeat in their opening fixtures. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City, Canada came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, and the United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles. Elsewhere, Haiti and Scotland returned to the FIFA World Cup™ stage after lengthy absences, and an electric atmosphere greeted the Group C clash between Brazil and Morocco in New York New Jersey — the venue set to host the final.

New rules already making an impact

Beyond the spectacle in the stands, Infantino was encouraged by early signs that new laws of the game are improving the flow of matches. Players feigning injury are now required to leave the pitch temporarily, a change the FIFA President said has visibly reduced time-wasting.

"You don't see any more players lying on the ground and staying there for five minutes, because they know that if they lie on the ground, they have to go out. The flow is quite quick."

Infantino also highlighted the family-friendly character of the tournament, noting the number of children and families filling the stands as an unexpected highlight. He described scenes from FIFA Fan Festivals, public watch parties along Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma, and New York City's Times Square as adding to the collective sense of celebration.

"We had very peaceful environments, very festive environments, starting from Mexico City to all the other places. And this is what this World Cup is about," he said.