2026 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off in Mexico City with Expanded Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by three nations for the first time and with an expanded field of 48 participating countries, has triumphantly begun in Mexico City.

The North, Central and Caribbean region World Cup kicked off with the opening match of Group A between host nation Mexico and South Africa, which will run until July 20. The match began at 4:05 AM Korean Standard Time.

Prior to the kickoff at 4:05 AM Korean Standard Time, the opening ceremony began around 2:40 AM, featuring celebratory performances.

The flags of the 48 participating nations were brought onto the field and arranged around the center circle.

As the flags entered according to their group assignments, the Taegeukgi of South Korea, a member of Group A, entered second after South Africa.

The flags of co-hosts Mexico, Canada, and the United States entered last, side by side, with Mexico's flag, the nation playing the opening match, being the 48th to stand at the center circle.

During the opening performance, singer-songwriter Lee Jae, who rose to global stardom with the Netflix animation 'K-pop Demon Hunters,' performed the World Cup theme song 'DNA' with world-renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli.

Queen of Latin Pop Shakira, who has a deep connection with various football tournaments including the World Cup, sang another tournament theme song 'Dai Dai' with hip-hop musician Burna Boy, among other diverse performances.

The 'Cathedral of Mexican Football,' Estadio Azteca, with a capacity of 88,024 seats, was filled to capacity. Before the match began, the Mexican home fans created a wave, signaling the start of the football festival. Just before the match started, spectators simultaneously waved paper cutouts shaped like traditional hats, 'sombreros,' creating a spectacular scene.

As three countries are co-hosting, this tournament will have three opening ceremonies, rotating among them.

The first act began in Mexico City today, followed by Canada's opening ceremony on June 13 at 4 AM (Korean Standard Time) before the Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium.

Subsequently, the US opening ceremony will take place on June 13 at 10 AM (Korean Standard Time) at the Los Angeles Stadium, ahead of the Group D match between the US and Paraguay.

In previous tournaments with 32 participating nations, the group stage was divided into 8 groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Round of 16 for a knockout tournament. However, this tournament sees a significant increase in the total number of matches from 64 to 104, and the format has also changed considerably.

The group stage will consist of 12 groups of 4 teams each (Groups A-L). The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to a '32-team knockout stage.' This means one additional single-elimination match will be played.

This tournament opens amidst controversies surrounding its 'politicization' under the influence of US President Donald Trump, and criticisms of excessive commercialization due to its expansion.

FIFA President Infantino, at a press conference held in Mexico City the day before, defended against various controversies and appealed for focus on the matches.

South Korea, which has qualified for the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time, dreams of reaching the Round of 16 and beyond, following their performance in the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

South Korea, drawn in Group A with host nation Mexico and South Africa, as well as the Czech Republic, will play their crucial first match against the European 'dark horse,' the Czech Republic, on June 12 at 11 AM (Korean Standard Time) at Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico.

The national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Mexico on June 19 at 10 AM (Korean Standard Time), also in Guadalajara, and will play their third match against South Africa on June 25 at 10 AM (Korean Standard Time) in Monterrey, Mexico.