The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, held over nearly a century of history, is considered the largest and most historic tournament to date. Even before the tournament begins, this edition has broken numerous records. The 23rd FIFA World Cup 2026 starts tonight in North America with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. For the first time in history, the World Cup is being hosted by three countries, with a record 48 teams competing in 104 matches. The total prize money for this World Cup is set at 655 million USD, with the champion receiving 50 million USD. Kathmandu, 12 June.
Football is the world’s most popular sport, often referred to as a universal game. Over 200 countries worldwide play football, underscoring its global popularity. With such a broad fan base, the World Cup naturally attracts significant attention. The main focus now is the FIFA World Cup 2026, which begins tonight in North America. The historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the opening match, as Mexico faces South Africa in front of home supporters. According to Nepali time, the match will kick off at 12:45 AM midnight.
The FIFA World Cup is the largest festival of global football, the biggest sports event worldwide, and an occasion that captures the emotions of billions of fans around the world. Mexico will formally welcome South Africa on home soil to inaugurate the FIFA World Cup 2026. Thousands of players from around the globe are gathering across the United States, Mexico, and Canada for the tournament. Millions of fans are ready to watch the matches live, while hundreds of millions more will enjoy football through various media platforms. Forty-eight teams, united by the single dream of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, are preparing for this grand football carnival.
