Kathmandu: The FIFA World Cup 2026, the biggest event in world football, is set to kick off tonight. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the World Cup is being jointly hosted by three nations the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:45 a.m. Nepal time.

The tournament which will conclude on July 19 in New York, will feature special opening ceremonies across all three host countries. The first ceremony will take place in Mexico City followed by events in Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, United States.

Hosts Mexico will take on South Africa in the opening match of the tournament. The game is scheduled to begin at 12:45 a.m. Nepal time.

This edition marks a historic expansion of the FIFA World Cup with 48 teams participating for the first time up from 32 in previous tournaments. Matches will be played across 16 venues in 16 cities throughout the three host nations.

The tournament will feature a total of 104 matches including the final compared to 64 matches in previous editions.

Five time world champions Brazil will make their 23rd consecutive World Cup appearance. Defending champions Argentina, along with France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands and Brazil are widely regarded as the leading contenders for the title.

Four nations Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Curaçao and Jordan will make their FIFA World Cup debuts. Meanwhile, Qatar, Haiti, New Zealand, Egypt, Iraq and Canada will be seeking their first-ever World Cup victory.

However, several notable football nations including four time champions Italy as well as Poland, Denmark, Nigeria and Cameroon failed to qualify for the tournament.

The competition will also showcase some of the sport’s biggest stars including Brazil’s Neymar, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, France’s Kylian Mbappé and Spain’s rising sensation Lamine Yamal.

With 48 participating nations, 104 matches and an unprecedented three country hosting arrangement, FIFA World Cup 2026 is being hailed as the largest and most competitive tournament in the history of the competition.