The biggest football tournament in history gets underway today. The group stage begins Thursday, June 11, when Mexico hosts South Africa for the World Cup opener at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. For the first time ever, the tournament is being launched simultaneously in three host countries — the United States, Mexico and Canada. This edition features a record 104 matches spread across 16 host cities, with 48 nations — 16 more than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Defending champions Argentina, led by star forward Lionel Messi, currently rank No. 1 according to FIFA. Among the standout stories this year, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cape Verde and Curacao are making their World Cup debut. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.