The 2026 FIFA World Cup will get underway on Thursday evening as co-hosts Mexico nationwide soccer workforce tackle South Africa nationwide soccer workforce within the opening Group A fixture at Estadio Azteca.
The match marks the start of a historic match that may function 48 groups and 104 matches, revisiting the identical fixture that opened the 2010 World Cup when Mexico and South Africa performed out a memorable 1-1 attract Johannesburg.
Forward of kick-off, FIFA by way of their official X deal with has confirmed {that a} file 1,248 gamers will characterize their nations on the match, making it the biggest participant pool in World Cup historical past. Softfootball understands that the milestone is a direct results of the competitors’s growth to 48 nations, with every squad consisting of 26 gamers.
FIFA revealed:
A file 1,248 gamers will characterize their nations at @FIFAWorldCup2026
To mark the announcement, FIFA launched a graphic that includes among the match’s greatest stars, together with Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Neymar and Julián Álvarez, highlighting the worldwide scale and high quality of expertise set to compete throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA has additionally confirmed that a number of new IFAB Legal guidelines of the Recreation will debut throughout the match, introducing measures designed to hurry up play, enhance officiating requirements, and improve the general expertise for gamers, officers, and supporters.
