The 2026 World Cup kicks off amid challenges.

Three host countries, 48 teams, and a lot of troubles... This is an unprecedented World Cup, colliding with international tensions and the repercussions of Trump's presidency, kicking off on Thursday in Mexico City, where social protests may spoil the festive football atmosphere.

For the third time in history after 1970 and 1986, the legendary Estadio Azteca will have the honor of hosting the first of the 104 matches in the tournament on Thursday at 1 PM local time (7 PM GMT), featuring Mexico against South Africa; a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.

Reflecting the giant ambitions of FIFA under Gianni Infantino, the tournament will be held for the first time in 16 stadiums, some of which are up to 4,000 kilometers apart, from Guadalajara to Vancouver, and from Los Angeles to Boston, in a format that has faced criticism for its environmental footprint.

For about six weeks, until the final on July 19 in East Rutherford near New York, football fans will experience the presence of the game's great stars, with only a few missing, and they will discover "strange" teams that have never appeared at this level; benefiting from the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, such as Cape Verde, Haiti, and Curacao.

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi (38 years old) who is participating in the World Cup finals for the sixth time, will have only one goal: to retain their world title.

In the last appearance of French coach Didier Deschamps, the "Roosters," led by Kylian Mbappé and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, will try to erase the harsh disappointment of Doha in 2022, when they lost the final to the Albiceleste on penalties.

Spain, Germany, Brazil, England, and Portugal... all the candidates are present with similar high ambitions, except for Italy, which is still unable to qualify. It will then be time to let the game itself take center stage, after months of talking about almost everything except football.

While every edition carries its share of controversy, preparations for this World Cup have rarely been so affected by external factors, as if they were held hostage by the unpredictability of Donald Trump's actions.

In the context of the war in the Middle East, it was only confirmed in recent weeks that Iran would be able to play its matches in Los Angeles and then Seattle. Even in this case, the "Team Melli" abandoned its planned training camp in Tucson to stay in Mexico, in Tijuana.

Trump, who said in early June that he wanted to make Canada the 51st U.S. state, has tightened immigration policies since returning to the White House; raising concerns among many fans wishing to travel to the United States, but fearing harsh inspections by U.S. immigration police.