MEXICO CITY — The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun across North America with record participation, large crowds and heightened expectations, while host cities continue to manage transportation, infrastructure and operational challenges associated with the tournament’s expanded format.
The competition opened on June 11 in Mexico City, where co-host Mexico faced South Africa in the first match of the tournament, according to FIFA. The event is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams and 104 matches and is being staged across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said before the tournament that preparations were progressing well and that host nations were working to ensure a successful event for players and supporters. “Preparations are going actually extremely well … the excitement is really building,” Infantino said in remarks published by FIFA.
The tournament represents the largest edition of the World Cup since the competition was established, with matches scheduled across three countries and multiple time zones. FIFA has said the format was designed to reduce travel burdens where possible while accommodating the expanded field.
In the opening week, host cities reported strong attendance at matches and fan events. In Philadelphia, local officials said public transportation usage increased significantly as supporters traveled to matches and FIFA Fan Festival activities. More than 100,000 people attended the city’s fan festival during its first several days, according to local reports.
At the same time, organizers and local authorities have encountered logistical issues linked to the scale of the event. Transportation systems in several host cities have faced heavy demand, while concerns have been raised about stadium access, parking and crowd management. Online travel forums and fan groups have also reported long travel times and congestion around some venues.
Players and coaches have voiced concerns about playing conditions at certain venues. France midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior criticized the playing surface at the New York-New Jersey stadium, which is scheduled to host the final in July. France coach Didier Deschamps also commented on the condition of the pitch following a group-stage match.
Additional concerns have centered on high temperatures in some host regions and the affordability of tickets and related costs for supporters, according to labor advocates and fan groups.
Matches are continuing across North America this week as teams compete in the group stage, with organizers and local authorities monitoring transportation, venue operations and crowd management throughout the tournament.
