Football fans prepare for a global spectacle as the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup begins, with the world's elite footballing nations hunting the ultimate prize. Photo: AFP
FEEL it, it’s here!
The much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off in Mexico City on Thursday (kick-off 9pm), with the Mexicans hosting Bafana Bafana in a repeat of the 2010 opener.
This tournament presents the biggest Fifa World Cup pool ever, with 48 teams gracing the grand stage, but the big question remains: who are the favourites to lift the Fifa World Cup Trophy in New Jersey on July 19?
The conversation around title contenders has been circling the traditional powerhouses of France and Spain, with England, Brazil, defending champions Argentina, and Portugal all also making it into the conversation.
