While previous World Cups had only one opening ceremony, the 2026 World Cup will have three separate opening ceremonies. For the first time, the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of 32, including a team from a country with a population of just 158,000 people…
Báo Xây dựng•09/06/2026
Prepare thoroughly.
With only days left before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, the United States, Canada, and Mexico are rushing to complete the final preparations for the largest tournament in history. From modern stadiums, transportation systems, and security to the opening ceremony program, which FIFA has just finalized, all preparations are geared towards an unprecedented World Cup.
The Azteca Stadium became the center of attention as the venue for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
With 16 host cities and 104 matches taking place over more than a month, the 2026 World Cup presents unprecedented demands on infrastructure, transportation, security, and operations.
The United States is handling the majority of the preparations, hosting 11 stadiums. Venues like MetLife Stadium, SoFi Stadium, AT&T Stadium, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium are ready to welcome millions of fans from around the world. In addition to completing infrastructure, host cities are also implementing comprehensive plans for traffic management, security control, and improving service capacity for international visitors.
In Mexico, the Azteca Stadium has become the center of attention as the venue for the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. It is also the first stadium in history to host matches in three different World Cups.
Meanwhile, Canada is focusing on completing projects in Toronto and Vancouver. Stadiums are being upgraded in terms of capacity, projection technology, and spectator services.
However, the biggest challenge for host countries lies not only in infrastructure or security but also in public health . With millions of fans traveling between cities and countries for over a month of competition, the risk of health problems is always a high concern.
This year's World Cup is taking place during the North American summer, a time when many regions frequently experience prolonged heatwaves. Therefore, FIFA and the host cities have developed numerous measures to protect the health of players and fans, such as providing shaded areas, increasing the number of free water dispensers, expanding medical personnel, and establishing emergency support systems at stadiums and fan zones.
To proactively manage risks, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a specialized surveillance mechanism for the 2026 World Cup. This system allows states and localities to monitor, assess, and quickly address any emerging disease risks during the tournament.
The opening ceremony bore the mark of the three host countries.
While previous World Cups featured only a single opening ceremony, the 2026 World Cup will set a new milestone as FIFA has decided to hold three separate opening ceremonies, corresponding to the first match of each host nation.
The first opening ceremony took place in Mexico City at 00:30 on June 12th (Vietnam time) before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Estadio Azteca.
You may also like
Jordan vs Argentina Live (9 AM, June 28): An Unequal BattleEven though Argentina rested many key players, Jordan is unlikely to spring a surprise in the match at AT&T Stadium in the US at 9 AM on June 28th, in the final round of Group J.
This is one of the most iconic stadiums in world football, having witnessed historic moments in previous World Cups.
The highlight of the ceremony was a performance by international music stars such as Shakira and Burna Boy with the official song of the 2026 World Cup. In addition, many famous artists from the Latin American region also participated, creating an atmosphere rich in local culture before the ball officially started rolling.
Following Mexico, Canada and the United States will continue to hold separate opening ceremonies before their national teams' opening matches. In Toronto, spectators will enjoy performances by leading Canadian artists such as Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara. Meanwhile, the opening ceremony in the United States is expected to feature modern performances, reflecting the status of the nation hosting the majority of the tournament's matches.
According to director Marco Balich, who was involved in the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony in Qatar, holding three opening ceremonies simultaneously in three different countries is an unprecedented challenge in the tournament's history. However, it also presents an opportunity for each host nation to tell its own story about its culture, people, and passion for football through music, art, and spectacular performances.
Despite being held in three different locations, the programs all shared a common theme: celebrating the spirit of unity in world football.
A World Cup like no other
The 2026 World Cup is special not only because of its organization but also because of a series of record-breaking numbers. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of the previous 32. This increases the number of matches from 64 to 104, making the 2026 World Cup the largest World Cup ever held.
Messi holds the record for the most appearances at the World Cup if he participates in this year's tournament.
A total of 1,248 players were registered to participate in the tournament, coming from 449 clubs in 71 countries. Of these, 891 players were making their first World Cup appearance.
Another notable aspect is that the 2026 World Cup marks the first time many new national teams will appear at the biggest football event on the planet. Among them, the story of Curaçao is seen as a clear symbol of the spirit of openness that FIFA is striving for.
With a population of only around 158,000, Curaçao is one of the smallest countries ever to participate in the World Cup. In the CONCACAF qualifying rounds, the Caribbean team overcame many higher-ranked opponents to write a new chapter in the history of their national football.
While the World Cup used to be almost exclusively dominated by traditional footballing powerhouses, now smaller nations also have the opportunity to appear on the world's biggest stage. Similar to Curaçao, the 2026 World Cup will also see the first-time participation of teams such as Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde.
On an individual level, the spotlight continues to be on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. If they participate in this year's tournament, both will become the first players in history to appear in six World Cups. Ronaldo currently holds the record for the most appearances for his national team, while Messi holds the record for the most World Cup appearances.
Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.
Besides the appearance of world-class stars, the 2026 World Cup also witnessed the gathering of a host of the most experienced coaches in football. Most notably is Carlo Ancelotti, considered the most successful coach in Champions League history. After many years involved with club football, the Italian coach accepted the offer to lead the Brazilian national team with the goal of bringing the Selecao back to the top of the world.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps continues to lead the French national team after more than a decade in charge. He won the 2018 World Cup and led France to the 2022 World Cup final.
Portugal placed their faith in Roberto Martínez, while Uruguay was led by the "madman" Marcelo Bielsa, one of the most influential strategists in modern football.
In addition, there are many other notable names such as Thomas Tuchel (England), Ronald Koeman (Netherlands), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), and Lionel Scaloni (Argentina).
