North American Host Cities Declare Readiness as 2026 FIFA World Cup Opens Thursday

The countdown is almost over. Host cities across North America say they are ready to welcome the world as the biggest FIFA World Cup ever gets underway on Thursday, with hosts Mexico facing South Africa in an opening match that echoes the 2010 tournament curtain-raiser in Johannesburg.

From Kansas City to Toronto, officials say security plans are in place, transport networks are being tested and fan zones are ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors.

In Kansas City, Missouri, the first match is set to begin on 16 June, but organisers have been working for years to get the city ready for the tournament.

“I think for the world, we want to show off that Kansas City is on the rise. 'That we are elevating, we are no longer, as we say, a flyover state; we're a fly-to state," says Mallory Cage, Director of Fan Festival and Events.

"But we also want people in Kansas City to be really proud of this as well. We hope Kansas citizens and those in the region are really excited to host and show off and are proud that this came to their backyard."

Host cities have spent years preparing for an event expected to attract millions of fans across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

For visitors, there will be some geography to learn here. In the United States, there is Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas City, Kansas, which can be confusing to first-time visitors. Most of the World Cup activities will be taking place on the Missouri side of the state line.

The United States will host roughly 75% of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with 78 of the 104 matches in the entire tournament taking place across 11 host cities.

In Canada, Toronto will host six World Cup games, starting this Friday. Officials in Canada’s largest city say they are ready to welcome the world, emphasising the city's diversity.

Sharon Bollenbach, City of Toronto World Cup executive director: “And above all else, embrace this moment in our city, in our country's history, and experience all that this opportunity has to offer. We are ready to welcome the world, and we are looking forward to kicking off.”

Toronto officials say they are expecting approximately 300,000 visitors for the World Cup.

But beyond host cities' preparations and the stadiums, the focus is also now shifting to the national teams.

On Monday, Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, presided over a flag presentation ceremony for the national team, three days before the country opens the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Africa.

Mexico plays host to 6 national squads in the country, including the Iranian squad embroiled in a war with the US.

The team has moved its base camp to Tijuana in Mexico, while several officials are still waiting for permission to enter the United States.

Reports say Iranian players will only be allowed into the west coast city of Los Angeles in the United States on match days before returning to Mexico immediately afterwards — a situation Iranian officials have criticised.

Somali referee Artan barred from entering US

Meanwhile, as final preparations enter their last phase, fans and officials are confronted with some obstacles, including exorbitant ticket prices and US travel bans and visa restrictions.

On Monday, Omar Artan, who was set to be the first Somali to referee at the World Cup finals, was dropped from the list of officials after he was denied entry into the US.

Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men's referee of the year, had arrived at the Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday before being denied entry.

His entry denial into the US follows US President Donald Trump's visa ban list and restrictions, including for four countries competing at the World Cup – Haiti, Iran, Senegal and the Ivory Coast.

In its own statement, FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration processes and was informed by authorities that Artan’s “status will not be changed at present."

Being among FIFA's 52 referees to officiate in the tournament, Artan becomes the only one refused entry, an issue that will raise eyebrows amid President Trump's political characterisation of and disparaging comments about Somalis in the recent months.

Despite these challenges, organisers say they are ready. FIFA is moving ahead with the historic tournament being staged simultaneously in three countries for the first time.

And with excitement building, the opening whistle just days away, the world's attention is about to turn to not just the football matches involving 48 teams but the North American continent.