Lagatar24 Desk
Mexico City: The FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, gets underway today on June 11 with the opening ceremony and first match in Mexico City, marking a historic edition of the tournament in several ways.
Historic Edition With 48 Teams and 104 Matches
For the first time in World Cup history, 48 teams are participating in the tournament. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities. Experts have described this edition as not merely a football tournament but a celebration of sport, culture, music, and global unity.
Shakira Headlines Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
A grand opening ceremony will precede the first match, featuring some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Shakira is the headline attraction of the ceremony, with Burna Boy, J Balvin, Danny Ocean, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, and Maná also set to perform live songs from the official FIFA World Cup 2026 album.
$655 Million Total Prize Money on Offer
The total performance-based prize money for the tournament stands at $655 million. The winning team will receive $50 million, the runners-up $33 million, the third-place team $29 million, and the fourth-place team $27 million. Every participating team will also receive a $10 million qualification amount along with $2.5 million in preparation support. Even the last-placed team will walk away with approximately $21.5 million, equivalent to around Rs 205 crore.
