The FIFA World Cup 2026 is just hours away, with this year's tournament set to be the largest in history. A total of 48 nations, including England, Scotland, and favourites Spain, will compete for the ultimate prize in football. The opening match takes place today, June 11, at Mexico City Stadium, where a sell-out crowd of 83,000 is expected to watch hosts Mexico face South Africa.
England's Final Warm-Up Victory
England secured a convincing 3-0 win over Costa Rica in their last friendly match on Wednesday. Goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon, and Ollie Watkins highlighted a dominant performance, with Jude Bellingham particularly impressing. Manager Thomas Tuchel praised the team's form but confirmed he has yet to decide on the starting eleven for their first group game against Croatia on June 17.
Tuchel's Tactical Plans
Speaking after the match, Tuchel stated: "No. I will find now 11 for tomorrow's game [against Miami FC, behind closed doors] and then I have another six days, I think. First of all we do a match tomorrow, another friendly match to get some minutes into the legs of the players who didn't play so much today. And then the players get 1½ days off, switch off physically but also mentally. And then we change location, go to Kansas, and we'll prepare for Croatia."
Scotland's Campaign Begins
Steve Clarke's Scotland team, known as the Tartan Army, will begin their World Cup journey against Haiti on June 13. Fans from both nations have already begun arriving in the host countries, with many hoping their sides can reach the final in New Jersey on July 19.
Political and Logistical Challenges
The tournament is not without controversy. Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States after a 19-hour interrogation at Miami airport, raising concerns about immigration enforcement. The ongoing war between the US and Iran has forced the Iranian national team to relocate their games to Mexico. Additionally, fans have complained about "extortionate" ticket prices, with some matches costing thousands of dollars, and price gouging from hotels and transport providers.
Record Viewership Expected
With the expanded tournament, over 5 billion people are expected to tune in over the next six weeks, making it the most-watched World Cup in history. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa kicks off at 3pm ET (8pm UK time) today.
