The 2026 FIFA World Cup finally gets underway this week, and you can follow all of the latest breaking news before Thursday’s opening group-stage game with The Athletic. We’d also love to hear from you before Mexico vs South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday. Get in touch by emailing live@theathletic.com.

World Cup opener faces storms in Mexico, as heat builds across U.S. games, with Texas matches topping 90°F.

We are now just one day away from the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The grand opening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Festival is from 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum issued a decree ahead of Mexico's match against South Africa to open the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City.

The 2026 World Cup is finally upon us, meaning I can stop making futures bets and focus on the first set of group games. For more big-picture storylines and pre-tournament plays, check out everything else I've written so far at Yahoo Sports.

Ronwen Williams' brother Marvin, who died in a car crash in 2010, is a source of inspiration as he captains South Africa against Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Here's the rundown on which musical artists will kick off the action across North America.