The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on Thursday night as co-hosts Mexico national football team take on South Africa national football team in the opening Group A fixture at Estadio Azteca.
The match marks the beginning of a historic tournament that will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, revisiting the same fixture that opened the 2010 World Cup when Mexico and South Africa played out a memorable 1-1 draw in Johannesburg.
Ahead of kick-off, FIFA through their official X handle has confirmed that a record 1,248 players will represent their countries at the tournament, making it the largest player pool in World Cup history. Softfootball understands that the milestone is a direct result of the competition’s expansion to 48 nations, with each squad consisting of 26 players.
FIFA revealed:
A record 1,248 players will represent their nations at @FIFAWorldCup2026
To mark the announcement, FIFA released a graphic featuring some of the tournament’s biggest stars, including Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Neymar and Julián Álvarez, highlighting the global scale and quality of talent set to compete across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA has also confirmed that several new IFAB Laws of the Game will debut during the tournament, introducing measures designed to speed up play, improve officiating standards, and enhance the overall experience for players, officials, and supporters.
