Pakistan, June 9 -- The FIFA World Cup is set to kick off on Thursday, bringing together a record 48 teams across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in what is being described as the largest and most complex edition of the tournament in history.

The opening match will take place at Mexico City's iconic Estadio Azteca, where co-hosts Mexico will face South Africa, marking the beginning of a nearly six-week-long global football spectacle. The tournament will conclude on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with millions of fans expected to follow the action both in stadiums and around the world.

Read more: Fifa world cup 2026 odds highlight top trophy contenders

Football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are once aga...