The 2026 World Cup is set to be a historic tournament, unlike any that have come before it. Expanded to 48 teams for the first time and spread across three countries - the United States, Canada and Mexico - it promises to be the biggest spectacle in the competition’s near-100-year history.
It's so close you can almost touch it. After years of build-up, the 2026 World Cup will kick-off on Thursday when co-hosts Mexico face off against South Africa in a repeat of the opening game from 2010. Over the next five-and-a-half weeks, records will be broken and legacies rewritten as a number of modern greats do battle to win the most recognisable trophy in all of sport.
The World Cup is now just a few hours away, with teams currently making their final preparations for the tournament in North America. The stage is set for a whole host of players to make themselves national heroes, including some of the most exciting youngsters in the game today.
The 2026 World Cup is almost upon us. Over the course of the next week, the time for talking will stop, and teams will have to prove their credentials with their performances on the pitch in North America. All roads, whether through the United States, Mexico or Canada, will lead to New Jersey on July 19, and the biggest football match on the planet: the World Cup final.
There's just a few hours to go until the biggest show on earth gets underway, with the 2026 World Cup kicking off in Mexico City on Thursday. If you haven't already caught a serious case of World Cup fever, what better way to get in the mood than by checking out the very best kits that will be on show in North America this summer.
The 2026 World Cup is almost here. After years of build-up, dramatic qualifiers and numerous good - and bad - news stories surrounding FIFA's flagship finals, players and coaches from around the world are completing their last preparations after descending on the United States, Mexico and Canada for the biggest international football tournament to ever have been staged.
Santiago Gimenez failed to register a single Serie A goal for AC Milan during the 2025-26 campaign, with legendary Mexican striker Jared Borgetti explaining his fellow countryman’s struggles to GOAL. Despite enduring a tough time at club level, leading to inevitable transfer talk, the 25-year-old forward is still looking forward to starring at a home World Cup finals.
Mexico enter the World Cup opener unbeaten in 2026, with Raul Jimenez chasing a full-circle moment, Brian Gutierrez rising and Rafa Marquez’s role growing.
The stage is set for Hugo Broos' men to pen a new chapter in Mzansi folklore when they lock horns with Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday evening. With the global showpiece finally upon them and the co-hosts standing in their way, Bafana will be eager to hit the ground running despite a tense build-up that has intensified the spotlight on their attacking department. Among those expected to shoulder the goalscoring burden is the former Orlando Pirates striker, with the 25-year-old tasked with leading the line and providing the cutting edge needed to fire Broos' charges to a dream start on the world stage.
As South Africa prepares to face Mexico in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opening fixture, former national team star Reneilwe Letsholonyane has shared his memories of the iconic 2010 clash between the two sides. The retired midfielder believes the current squad has the quality to produce a shock result against the tournament co-hosts in Estadio Azteca.
Former Bafana and Tottenham Hotspur defender has issued a poignant warning to South Africa’s rising star ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As the nation prepares for its Group A opener against Mexico, the legendary centre-back urged the youngster to prioritise discipline over the pitfalls that famously hampered his own career.
The Bafana captain has issued a glowing assessment of South Africa's goalkeeping options as the nation prepares for its World Cup opener. The Mamelodi Sundowns star believes the country is finally reaping the rewards of a talented generation of netminders who have proven their worth on the domestic and continental stage.
The South African legend believes Hugo Broos' men are set to shock the world when they face Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup. The former Everton midfielder insists that the Mzansi side has what it takes to secure a historic result at the intimidating Estadio Azteca.
The legendary midfielder has offered a sobering assessment of South Africa’s prospects at the World Cup. The former Kaizer Chiefs star believes that the diverse footballing cultures Hugo Broos’ side will encounter represent a massive hurdle for the national team.
The Glamour Boys marketing director has called for national unity as South Africa prepares to face Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener. Sixteen years after the historic 1-1 draw at Soccer City in 2010, Higo Broos' men find themselves back on the global stage facing a familiar foe in daunting circumstances.
Former Buccaneers midfielder Steve Lekoelea believes the trio of young Pirates stars are destined to leave for Europe following a successful season in which they proved themselves by winning the league and ensured they will get global exposure playing in the quadrennial tournament.
The South Africa head coach has highlighted the vital role the Brazilians will play in the team’s campaign in North America. The Belgian tactician believes the continental experience gained at club level will be the driving force behind the national team's mentality at the global showpiece.
South Africa's head coach has warned his side that they must be at their absolute best to survive a hostile crowd and a good team when they step out to face El Tri on Thursday. After admitting he was impressed by the co-host's 5-1 demolition of Serbia in their most recent warm up match, he told the media that his team will be ready to fight for a result with everything they have.
The South Africa winger has opened up on the devastating blow of missing the upcoming global showpiece through injury. The Al Ettifaq attacker was set to be a key component of Hugo Broos' plans in North America before a physical setback forced him to undergo surgery.
The South Africa legend has voiced his frustrations regarding the squad selection for the global showpiece. The nation’s record goalscorer, now coaching Kenya, believes several high-performing stars were unfairly overlooked for the tournament.
South Africa has been handed a major selection boost as they prepare for their monumental 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico. After weeks of concern, the Belgian coach has confirmed that a key Masandawana star is finally ready to return to the fold.
Mexico
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