Pakistan, June 11 -- The FIFA World Cup 2026 begins on Thursday with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, marking the start of the largest edition of the tournament in history.

The expanded 48-team competition, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will run for nearly six weeks and conclude with the final in New Jersey on July 19. FIFA estimates the tournament could generate a record $13 billion in revenue, reflecting its unprecedented scale and commercial reach.

However, the buildup has been overshadowed by criticism over high ticket prices and visa-related complications affecting teams, officials, and fans. Reports of tickets priced as high as $30,000 have sparked backlash...