WASHINGTON : This edition, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the largest in the tournament’s history. The competition will span approximately six weeks and conclude with the final scheduled in New Jersey on July 19.

The organising committee expects record revenues of up to 13 billion US dollars. However, the tournament has faced criticism over high ticket prices, some of which have reached significant levels, despite the introduction of lower-priced categories for fans.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing strategy, stating that tickets start from 60 US dollars, with an average price of under 500 dollars, describing it as among the most affordable compared to other major global sporting events.

The tournament has also been affected by controversy surrounding US visa and immigration policies, along with organisational and security challenges impacting some participants. FIFA has said these issues fall outside its direct control.

The opening match is expected to draw a large crowd at the Azteca Stadium, which can accommodate tens of thousands of spectators. Later in the day, South Korea will face the Czech Republic in Guadalajara as first-day fixtures continue.

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