The FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico has officially begun.
In the early hours of June 12th Beijing time, the 2026 World Cup opened at the Mexico City Stadium. Over the next 39 days, 48 teams will compete in 104 matches across 16 cities for football fans worldwide.
During the opening ceremony, 'Latin Queen' Shakira performed the tournament's official song 'Dai Dai,' electrifying the crowd. Legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the newly released official World Cup theme song 'DNA.'
This World Cup features three opening ceremonies, with the other two scheduled to take place in Toronto and Los Angeles one day later.
Host Mexico Secures 2-0 Victory Over South Africa in Opening Match
The opening match of the 2026 World Cup (Group A, Round 1) took place at the Azteca Stadium, where host nation Mexico faced South Africa. The match concluded with Mexico securing a 2-0 victory. A historic first for a World Cup opening match, the referee issued three red cards during the game.
In the 5th minute, a shot from Jiménez from outside the box was saved by the South African goalkeeper. In the 9th minute, Mexico intercepted the ball in the attacking third, and Quiñones scored the first goal of this World Cup, putting Mexico 1-0 ahead.
In the 37th minute, South Africa's Foster headed a shot wide, marking the team's first attempt of the match. By the 42nd minute, Mexico created another dangerous chance, with Quiñones hitting the post.
In the 49th minute, as Mexico was through on goal, South Africa's Sithole committed a foul by bringing down Gutiérrez just outside the box. Sithole was shown a red card, the first of this World Cup.
In the 67th minute, a cross from the right found Raúl Jiménez, who headed the ball home to extend Mexico's lead to 2-0. In the 84th minute, South Africa's substitute, Zwane, was shown a red card for a violent foul, leaving his team with only nine players against eleven.
During the second minute of added time, Mexico's Montes was shown a straight red card for a foul just outside the box. The match ended with Mexico's 2-0 win, securing a successful start to their World Cup campaign.
In the early hours and morning of the next day, the two other host nations, Canada and the United States, will make their debuts against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Paraguay, respectively. Highly anticipated teams featuring stars like Lionel Messi's Argentina, Kylian Mbappé's France will play on June 17th, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will take the field in the early hours of June 18th.
World Cup Stimulates Regional Economy, Drives Up Hotel Prices
The globally celebrated sporting event has not only ignited the passion of fans worldwide but also become a significant catalyst for boosting consumption and stimulating regional economies across multiple countries.
A report jointly released by FIFA and the WTO estimates the 2026 World Cup will generate approximately $80.1 billion in global economic output. How does the new 48-team format invigorate the global event economy?
Reports indicate that hotel prices in 13 of the 16 host cities have surged by over 80% compared to the same period last year, with some cities experiencing increases of several times. Industry estimates suggest the total per-person expenditure for attending matches in North America could reach thousands of dollars or more.
As the World Cup kicked off in Mexico City, local businesses across hospitality, dining, transportation, and retail eagerly anticipated the influx of tourists and the resulting boost in consumption. A local hotel manager noted that room rates had already risen in the week leading up to the opening.
Since Vancouver, Canada, was confirmed as a host city four years ago, local governments, institutions, and businesses have held high hopes for the economic benefits from the expected tourism surge. The latest provincial financial update shows the total budget for hosting the event has increased, with significant investment in infrastructure and security upgrades.
Local authorities and tourism bodies acknowledge the substantial investment and potential short-term disruptions required for transportation optimization, venue upgrades, and enhanced security. However, they believe the World Cup will yield substantial long-term returns for Vancouver and Canada as a whole.
Tourism officials project that hosting the World Cup could generate billions in additional tourism revenue for the province and city, with benefits expected to last for up to five years after the tournament concludes.
During the World Cup, fans celebrate their teams' victories. Over the next month, bars and entertainment venues also look forward to a significant revenue boost from the tournament.
Public data shows the estimated cost for Canada to host a single match is around $82 million. An economist noted this figure is not surprising, as FIFA estimates the event will generate billions in GDP impact for the host region, stemming from increased wages and business profits.
The joint FIFA-WTO report projects the 2026 World Cup will create approximately $80.1 billion in global economic output. For host nations, these figures translate into actual visitor spending, flowing through tourism, dining, transportation, and retail sectors into the local economy. Beyond tangible economic benefits, hosting the event also boosts national pride and soft power.
Notably, the World Cup's economic stimulus extends beyond the host nations, impacting foreign trade in China, located across the Pacific.
Yiwu, known as the 'World's Small Commodities Capital,' is bustling with activity. Merchants report that orders for World Cup-related products, from jerseys to various fan items, are expected to increase by 20% to 30% compared to previous tournaments, with some anticipating a fivefold surge. This vibrant activity reflects the broader performance of China's foreign trade.
Official data shows China's total goods trade import and export value for the first five months of the year grew steadily. Monthly import-export volumes have exceeded 4 trillion yuan for three consecutive months. International media have noted China's accelerating trade engine and stronger-than-expected data, suggesting it boosts confidence in the country's high-quality economic development.
Analysts point out that several listed companies are deeply involved in the 'World Cup economy,' from event sponsorship and IP derivatives to viewing consumption and technological support, attempting to capitalize on opportunities across the supply and consumption chains. Brokerages are focusing on the tournament's potential catalytic effect on sectors like dining, beer, sports lottery, and sports.
High Ticket Prices Spark Widespread Dissatisfaction
Media reports indicate that as of three days before the opening, a significant number of tickets were listed for resale on FIFA's official platform, primarily for group stage matches. Over the past month, the median price for tickets on the resale platform has fallen by 20%. Factoring in platform fees, most resellers are likely selling at a loss.
For Iran's three group stage matches, approximately 16,000 tickets remained unsold. For Saudi Arabia's matches, an average of about 3,900 tickets per game were unsold, with median resale prices even falling below face value. For the USA's opening match against Paraguay, around 4,400 tickets were still available. Despite significant price drops, the median resale price remained over $800, while the minimum price on FIFA's official channel was as high as $1,120.
For FIFA, a large number of empty seats would be problematic. The organization set ticket prices significantly higher than previous tournaments, citing local market conditions. The high initial prices and the 'dynamic pricing' mechanism have drawn strong criticism from fan groups and local politicians. Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey have launched investigations into the 'exorbitant' prices.
One fan group estimates the total cost for a fan to follow their team live this summer is about five times higher than it was four years ago.
Reports note that ticket prices for this World Cup are notably higher than for the previous tournament in Qatar. The lowest-priced group stage tickets start around $100, while the cheapest final tickets are about $2,030. FIFA's introduction of dynamic pricing saw some final tickets briefly exceed $10,000.
A Belgian fan stated he would not consider attending due to the high costs, citing ticket prices of one to three thousand euros plus travel and accommodation expenses.
A fan from Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed a strong desire to attend but noted the financial burden is too heavy for many, estimating a cost of 10,000 to 15,000 euros for three matches due to expensive flights, inflated ticket prices, and high hotel costs.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed surprise at the high ticket prices, stating that even he would not pay $1,000 to attend the USA's opening match against Paraguay. In a phone interview, Trump mentioned he would like to attend but honestly would not pay that amount.
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